SA, China sign avocado export agreement
Minister of Agriculture Thoko Didiza on Tuesday signed an agreement with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for the export of avocados to the People’s Republic of China.
Wang Yi represented the Chinese Agriculture Minister Tang Ranijan during the signing of the agreement at the Union Buildings on Tuesday.
According to Didiza's spokesperson Reggi Ngcobo, the agreement will promote export-led growth for the South African avocado industry.
"China is likely to become one of the world’s major consumers of avocados and thus offers an immense opportunity to expand avocado production in South Africa. The industry currently employs 15,000 people on farms and in packhouses.
“In addition, many others are employed in service industries and along the value chain. Growth in exports will inevitably lead to growth in production.”
According to South African Avocado Growers Association estimates, the volume of avocados exported in 2023 could reach 80,000 tons, an increase of 23% compared to the previous year.
This increase in exported volume is mainly due to the entry into production of new orchards.
In South Africa, avocado production has grown well, rising from around 90,000 tonnes in the 2000s to around 135,000 tonnes today, peaking at 169,000 tonnes for the 2018 bumper crop.
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