Standard Bank_ Agribusiness Biweekly Insights: Horticulture Report (01 September 2023)

Horticulture

 

The South African avocado industry has been given a boost, as it was recently given the greenlight to export avocados to China. While this development was received positively by the domestic avocado industry, there are a few post-harvest and shipping protocols that need attention. One such protocol requires methyl bromide fumigation of avocados before shipping. South Africa does not currently fumigate its avocados, hence, the infrastructure and protocols for this process will have to be established. In addition, the shipping option is currently limited to cooled breakbulk containers, but the industry has only been using reefer containers. Therefore, the shipped avocados will have to be packed and temperature regulated accordingly. This means that new protocols will also need to be created for avocado shipments to China. According to the chairperson of the South African Avocado Growers Association (SAAGA), we may see a few trial consignments sent to China within the 2023 export season. However, it will probably be a while before China imports the volumes of avocados that the European Union (EU) absorbs from South Africa. The stone fruit industry’s application for access to China is up next for consideration, followed by that of the blueberry industry.

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