SAAGA reports that the percentage of Hass, the preferred variety in the UK, has risen to 41 per cent of the overall crop as new plantings come on stream. The total crop is expected to pack out to 10million cartons.

In previous years, South African growers have suffered from oversupplied markets and low prices as their fruit competes with sendings from Spain and Kenya. This year, growers are timing exports to ensure their fruit reaches the market at optimum maturity in terms of eating quality and to ensure continuity of supply. UK supermarkets will be selling much of the fruit as ripe and ready to eat, which SAAGA hopes will increase consumer confidence in its reliability and quality.

Growers have invested in developing tree canopy management techniques and improved pruning as well as working on calcium and nitrogen ratios to ensure good eating quality.

Topics