The annual avocado harvest in South Africa's Southern Cape continues to increase, with production in 2025 expected to reach between 5,000 and 7,000 tons. This is about double last year's 3,000 tons, with most volumes coming from the Southern Cape.
According to Derek Donkin, CEO of the South African Subtropical Growers' Association (Subtrop), the growth is the result of both new entrants and existing growers expanding orchards. "We are still in the process of determining the extent of the growth. There have been new plantings from Swellendam to Plettenberg Bay. The expected doubling of production this season is evidence of the extensive expansion of the past few years as new orchards are starting to come into production. It takes around seven or eight years for avocado orchards to reach full production, so we expect to see continued growth in years to come."
Packhouse activity has also increased. Andrew Moolman of GE Packhouse noted that operations have been in full production for about four weeks. While drought has affected yield and quality on some farms, overall tonnage handled by the packhouse is expected to increase. On his own farm, Great Brak Avos, the harvest is forecast to reach 300 tons this year.
Local grower Tobie McDonald, from the Witfontein area, expects his farm to double last year's harvest. "It provides a reliable water supply and shields us from the effects of drought. However, the bergwind does take its toll, blowing some fruit off the trees near the end of winter," he said. McDonald added that they are supplying local markets but aim to begin exporting.
Harvesting in the province extends into January, with microclimates supporting longer seasons. Donkin explained that the export window runs from September until the end of October, with Maluma Hass and Hass making up 60% to 70% of the crop. A portion is sold locally, while late-harvest Hass and Lamb Hass are harvested for the domestic market from November to January.
Prices are expected to rise toward the end of the year. Donkin said: "The avocado production in the Western Cape is still not sufficient to support the demand during the summer months, and marketers will still be importing avocados from Southern and East Africa to supplement supply."
While the current drought has not had a major impact on this season, it may influence next year's yield. Orchards on saline soils are experiencing salt burn on leaves, a condition worsened by limited rainfall that does not wash salts from the soil profile.
Technology use in the sector is expanding. Drones are being deployed to apply foliar nutrition sprays, and remote sensing, funded by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, is being used to monitor orchard stress and water availability.
Source: George Herald