South Africa sends first shipment of avocados to China
South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, welcomes the first-ever shipment of avocados to China as a milestone for the country's agricultural sector.
CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit speaks to Derek Donkin, CEO of the Subtropical Growers Association (Subtrop).
Listen below:
The first-ever shipment of avocados to China has been welcomed as a milestone for South Africa's farming sector.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen conveyed his satisfaction with the South African avocado industry's active pursuit of international markets.
“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,” read his statement.
Steenhuisen said the shipment of avocados will contribute to economic growth and job creation across the sector.
This export follows a phytosanitary agreement signed between South Africa and China in August 2023, which paved the way for an inaugural 21-tonne consignment to land in Shanghai in October 2024, making South Africa the third African nation to enter the Chinese market, following in the footsteps of Kenya, according to Steenhuisen.
"China is potentially a very big market for avocados just because of the sheer size of the population... [and] the middle and upper classes, which can afford imported fruits."
- Derek Donkin, CEO - Subtropical Growers Association
"The market is growing, and we want to get a piece of that growth, and the first shipment this season is very important in starting that off because that market will grow and we will grow with it, even though there are other competitors..."
- Derek Donkin, CEO - Subtropical Growers Association
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