Seeking new markets

The South African pear industry is now next in line to enter the Chinese market. South Africa was one of the top 10 pear-growing countries in 2015, according to HORTGRO, the association of South African deciduous fruit growers. The bulk of its pear exports go to the European Union - about 42 percent, followed by the Middle East (17 percent) and Far East (16 percent). In 2013, Chinese Hong Kong imported over 5,000 tons of South African pears. In 2015, it increased to over 7,000 tons. Once the exports start going to the Chinese mainland, South Africa hopes for a substantial increase. In 2017, the yield is estimated to increase 2 percent to 440,000 tons and a new market is something to be acutely desired.

“The Chinese quarantine authorities are currently working on access for South African pears,” Bonnie Buthelezi, Market Development Manager at South Africa Avocado Growers’ Association, told Chinafrica. “Once this process is completed and South African pears have access to China, work will begin on access for South African avocados. It would generate growth for the South African avocado industry and would increase supply of quality avocados to the growing Chinese market.”

The main challenge now to exporting avocados to the Chinese mainland, Buthelezi said, is waiting for the completion of the necessary government-to-government processes.

Europe is currently the main market for South African avocados. Besides, small volumes are exported to other African countries, the Middle East and Chinese Hong Kong.

“The South African avocado industry looks forward to gaining access to the Chinese mainland as this market is very important in the future growth of the South African avocado industry,” said Buthelezi. (Reporting from South Africa)