South Africa’s avocado industry is continuing to grow its market share and has shipped its first produce for the season to Shanghai for a second year in a row after signing an agreement with China.
Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, conveyed his deep satisfaction this week with the avocado industry's active pursuit of international markets.
One of Steenhuisen’s priorities is to improve market access for the agricultural sector by expanding existing markets and opening new ones to ensure profitability and sustainability and to drive economic growth and job creation.
“This ‘early bird’ shipment to China is a testament to the hard work, innovation, and strategic foresight within our avocado industry,” said Steenhuisen.
“South Africa is positioned as a major player in the global avocado market, thanks to the investment made by businesses like ZZ2 in cutting-edge packhouses and nurseries, Core Fruit’s well-established expertise in exports, and Mission Produce’s global reach.”
The minister highlighted South African producers’ strategic advantages, which include a shorter shipping time to China compared with major competitors like Peru. This logistical edge, coupled with ZZ2’s early production timing, allowed South African avocados to access the Chinese market during a period of lower supply.
In August 2023, South Africa and China concluded a phytosanitary agreement that saw the arrival in Shanghai on 8 October 2024 of the first 21 tonnes of South African avocados from Westfalia Fruits. This accounts for a mere 0.03% of South Africa's total avocado exports of 81 012 tonnes.
With the 2024 shipment, South Africa became the third African nation to enter the Chinese market, following in the footsteps of Kenya.
