April 11, 2025 | The South African |
South Africa’s avocado industry is experiencing rapid growth in its southern regions, especially in the Helderberg Basin, Riebeeck Kasteel, and George along the Garden Route. Once dominated by the subtropical northeast, avocado cultivation is now expanding to the Western and Southern Cape due to the favorable climate and strategic advantages.
Avocado cultivation in the Western Cape has surged from 135 hectares in 2017 to over 1,250 hectares. In the 2024/2025 season, over 3,000 tons were harvested, and projections for the next season range from 5,000 to 6,500 tons. The region’s climate allows for late-season harvesting (September to January), extending South Africa’s export window to Europe, where demand remains high.
Domestically, the increased supply is expected to stabilize prices, especially during the festive season. Stellenbosch University is supporting this boom with advanced research and the use of AI-powered agricultural drones through a partnership with NIK Group. These precision farming tools are part of broader efforts to enhance productivity and global competitiveness.
Industry experts see the expansion as an opportunity to meet rising local and international demand and enter new markets like China and India, while ensuring year-round avocado availability.
