The first South African avocados of the season have begun to arrive in the UK by air and will soon be followed by sea arrivals.

A crop of around 10.5 million 4kg cartons is forecast, although South African Avocado Growers’ Association (SAAGA) chairman Claus Lippert told FPJ that figure is likely to be at the very top-end of the scale.

Recent rain across the growing regions has delayed the season and denied growers the opportunity to benefit from a short European market. However, it has had a positive effect on fruit size, said SAAGA general manager Derek Donkin, who added: “We expect some top quality fruit this season.”

Lippert said: “We have used every platform available to communicate with growers about quality. We have self-imposed quality hurdles to ensure that South African fruit is consistently as good or better than fruit from other sources.”

Around 80 per cent of SA avocados are now exported through producer-oriented groups. “That brings in greater discipline and eradicates the opportunistic approach to marketing,” said Lippert.

Donkin added: “What is good for the exporter is good for the grower - they are one and the same in most cases and that has allowed the industry to mature in its understanding of international customer requirements.”

The volume of fruit is down on last season’s 11.8m carton crop and the decline is reflected across all varieties. The proportion of Hass will be around 48 per cent, which is similar to last year.

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