Rising global demand for avocados is spurring expansion of the crop in South Africa, which exports about two-thirds of its average annual production of 90000 tons. Commercial plantings of the healthy, delicious and versatile fruit in the country have grown by 1000ha a year and land under cultivation for avocado production is estimated at 17500ha by the South African Avocado Growers Association. This year's crop is expected to soar to about 125000 tons. The avocado association forecasts that plantings this season will rise to 257069 nursery trees from the 246673 figure for the 2016-17 season. In the 2018-19 season, the number is forecast to rise to 377177 nursery trees. Most of South Africa's 400 established commercial avocado growers are in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and some areas in KwaZulu-Natal. These existing farmers were expanding their capacity and about 80 new growers had entered the avocado industry, the association's CEO, Derek Donkin, said this week. In addition, commercial avoc...
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