Exporter Westfalia Fruit hails landmark achievement for South African avocado export business in potentially huge market
Westfalia Fruit held a ceremony at Huizhan Market in Shanghai today to mark the arrival of South Africa’s first avocado export shipment to China.
The first container load arrived on Tuesday 8 October and passed its customs inspection, a key moment in what South African exporters hope will be a major commercial success for their industry.
The fruit will be sent to retail supermarkets across southern and northern China.
The milestone also marks the beginning of significant expansion for Westfalia, which in recent years has targeted access to new and potentially lucrative export markets – among them India, which it entered in 2022.
“As we celebrate our first shipment of Westfalia Fruit avocados to China, we are thrilled to mark this significant milestone for our company and the South African avocado industry,” commented Hans Boyum, the group’s commercial director for Africa.
“This achievement not only highlights our commitment to quality and sustainability but also reinforces our dedication to expanding our global footprint. We look forward to sharing our exceptional avocados with consumers in China and establishing a strong, lasting presence in this vibrant market.”
China’s expanding middle class and increasing demand for healthy, nutritious food make it a key growth market for South African avocados.
Westfalia believes it is well-positioned to meet this demand, pointing to South Africa’s shorter transit times to Asia compared with Latin American suppliers, and its ability to deliver fruit during peak seasons when demand can outstrip supply.
The debut shipment was made possible thanks to a phytosanitary agreement between South Africa and China in August 2023.
