By Staff Reporter
TZANEEN-South Africa has officially received approval to begin exporting avocados to China, marking a significant milestone for the country’s agricultural sector. This green light from China’s plant protection authorities comes after a thorough verification visit by Chinese inspectors in July.
Derek Donkin, CEO of the South African Subtropical Growers’ Association (Subtrop), confirmed the news, stating, “China has given the official go-ahead as of yesterday, and we can finally start shipments. This opens up a new and promising market for South African avocados.”
The decision to allow South African avocados into China is expected to fuel growth in the sector, providing China with a fresh source for this sought-after fruit. Donkin expressed optimism about the long-term prospects, highlighting that South African exporters will now begin establishing the necessary connections to penetrate the Chinese market.
This development comes on the heels of South Africa’s recent successes in gaining market access to other significant Asian markets, including India and Japan. The first airfreight shipment to India has already been made, while a container bound for Japan is expected to arrive next week.
“The first container of avocados from South Africa to Japan is currently on the water and is expected to arrive on Monday. We will then wait to see the outcome of that. The first airfreight shipment to India was made in July,” Donkin noted, emphasizing that these initial shipments are crucial for testing systems and ensuring all regulatory requirements are met.
However, the timing of the final approval for China poses challenges. With South Africa’s avocado export season nearing its end, it remains uncertain whether any shipments will be sent to China this year. “It’s taken a long time to get everything in order.
We’re happy that all the regulatory things are now in place to be able to export. We’re coming to the end of our season, so I’m not sure if they will ship something this year, or not,” Donkin added.
Despite gaining access to these new markets, South African avocado exporters still face significant challenges, including high import duties. Donkin acknowledges that building strong connections and expanding market presence will take time, and discussions with the South African government are planned to address these barriers.
Overall, South Africa has had a successful avocado export season, with more than 80% of the estimated 20 million cartons already shipped. “Generally, it has been a good season.
The actual shipped cartons are close to 18 million, and we expect to reach at least 20 million cartons, with 90% of the fruit volume coming from South Africa, along with contributions from Zimbabwe and Mozambique,” Donkin concluded.
As South Africa continues to expand its global avocado market, the new opportunities in China, India, and Japan represent significant growth potential for the industry.
