25% drop in South Africa’s avocado production

South Africa’s booming avocado production experienced a setback in 2018/19, with output dropping 25% to 127,000 tons. The major factors contributing to this decline were the lower yields, premature fruit drop, and the cyclical on-year and off-year nature of avocado production. The fall in output would have been greater had there not been new orchards coming into full production. The country’s avocado production area expanded by 9% to 17,500ha in 2018/19. The main market for South Africa’s avocado exports is Europe (96%). With the rising production, it is of paramount concern now that South Africa’s avocado industry gains access to new markets. The Limpopo province is the largest avocado production area in South Africa thanks to its subtropical climate.