Subdued prospects for SA’s 2020 avocado harvest

The heatwaves experienced in the Tzaneen and Levubu areas in Limpopo during October to December last year have had a negative effect on avocado fruit sizes in the region.

In addition, the rainy conditions experienced in the production region recently resulted in the estimate for South Africa’s avocado crop being below average.

This was according to Bram Snijder, technical and production director at Lombard Spies Avocado, who said that despite these challenges, the external fruit quality was still good.

“Rain is our main challenge, as well as the fact that the overseas wholesale markets are closed. This poses some challenges with regard to marketing of green skin [avocados]. [But, because] supermarkets are still open, this helps with the sale of black skin varieties.”

He added that the industry was now entering its normal marketing window, which would likely be stable going forward, with South Africa and Peru being the main suppliers of avocados on the international market.

“[Producers in] Peru [have been] delayed with volumes, as well as maturity [issues], in some areas, and this could pose some risk later in the season when they have to get these [avocados] onto the market.”

Snijder said there had not been any notable increase in theft during the lockdown period to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and farmers were still picking fruit in most production areas.

“If the lockdown continues, [theft] might spike as people are getting desperate for food and income.”

Derek Donkin, CEO of the South African Subtropical Growers’ Association (Subtrop), said the current export estimate was 18,5 million 4kg-equivalent cartons, which was an increase on the 2019 export volume of 14,1 million cartons.

He said there were currently

600 000 to 700 000 cartons being exported per week. “[But] the lockdowns, both locally and on our main export market, Europe, have affected sales to the hospitality industry.” – Pieter Dempsey