South Africa has finally received the official go-ahead to export avocados to China. The plant protection authorities of China have this week given the green light to South Africa. This follows after Chinese inspectors visited South Africa in July for the verification visit. Derek Donkin, CEO of the South African Subtropical Growers' Association (Subtrop), "China has given the official go-ahead as of yesterday, we can finally do shipments. South Africa now can send to China. We should see the growth of South African avocados going into China into the future. This provides China with the option of another origin. The individual export companies in South Africa will make the needed connections and send the avocados into the China market."
South African avocados have in the past few months gained market access to India, China and Japan. The first airfreight shipment has already been sent to India, while the first container from South Africa is currently on its way and due to arrive in Japan next week. "The first container of avocados from South Africa to Japan is currently on the water and is expected to arrive on Monday. We will then wait to see the outcome of that. The first airfreight shipment to India was made in July. The aim was to test the systems and to get the needed paperwork etc. done. There has been no sea freight to India yet."
The final green light to China comes as expected towards the end of South Africa's current export season. It is unclear if it is still in time for any shipments to be sent to China, says Donkin. "It's taken a long time to get everything in order. We're happy that all the regulatory things are now in place to be able to export. We're coming to the end of our season, so I'm not sure if they will ship something this year, or not."
However, despite the new market access, South Africa still faces stiff import duties in these new markets. As with all new markets, it will take time to form new connections and to gradually build the market. "It is one of the barriers to work on if we want to grow in those markets. We will be in discussion about it with the South African Government," he notes.
Generally good South African avocado export season
Donkin says overall, South Africa had a good avocado export season. "Generally, it has been a good season. We are more than 80% done with the estimate of 20 million cartons in terms of shipments. The actual shipped cartons is close to 18 million cartons. We will reach at least 20 million cartons with 90% of the fruit volume coming from South Africa, with fruit coming from Zimbabwe and Mozambique too."
For more information:
Derek Donkin
Subtrop/ SAAGA
Tel: +27 15 307 3676
Email: [email protected]
www.subtrop.co.za