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14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa's avocado industry makes waves with first shipment to China
Steenhuisen's enthusiasm comes on the heels of the season's inaugural shipment of South African avocados, which has successfully reached Shanghai, China, marking a significant milestone for the sector. Image: Supplied The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has expressed satisfaction with the South African avocado industry's proactive steps towards international market expansion. Steenhuisen's enthusiasm comes on the heels of the season's inaugural shipment of South African avocados, which has successfully reached Shanghai, China, marking a significant milestone for the sector. Among Steenhuisen's core priorities is the enhancement of market access for South African agricultural products. Understanding that market access is paramount for the profitability and sustainability of the agricultural sector, Steenhuisen on Tuesday insisted that the Department of Agriculture must play a pivotal role in expanding and establishing new markets. Steenhuisen said this 'early bird shipment' to China was a testament to the hard work, innovation, and strategic foresight within South Africa's avocado industry. 'South Africa is positioned as a major player in the global avocado market thanks to the investment made by businesses like ZZ2 in cutting-edge packhouses and nurseries, Core Fruit's well-established expertise in exports, and Mission Produce's global reach,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Steenhuisen pointed to a unique logistical advantage: South Africa's shorter shipping times to China compared to major competitors such as Peru. This logistical edge, combined with ZZ2's early production timing, allows South African avocados to enter the Chinese market at a period of reduced supply, positioning them favourably in terms of market demand. The successful shipment follows the completion of a phytosanitary agreement between South Africa and China in August 2023, which facilitated the arrival of 21 tons of South African avocados from Westfalia Fruits in Shanghai on 8 October 2024. With this achievement, South Africa proudly joins Kenya as the third African nation to successfully deliver avocados to the burgeoning Chinese market. This development not only showcases the global potential of South African avocados but also signals a larger narrative of economic growth and job creation across the agricultural sector. As producers continue to seek opportunities beyond domestic borders, the South African avocado industry's advancements in market exploration may set a precedent for further agricultural expansion. Visit:
14-05-2025
- Business
First shipment of South African avocados arrives in China
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has hailed the South African avocado industry's active pursuit of international markets. Last week saw the arrival of the season's first batch of avocados in Shanghai, China. 'The expansion of markets stimulates the demand for South African products, and this demand in turn, drives economic growth and job creation across the sector. This 'early bird shipment' to China is a testament to the hard work, innovation, and strategic foresight within our avocado industry,' Steenhuisen said. The Minister noted that South Africa's position as a major player in the global avocado market was supported by private sector investment made by companies like ZZ2, a leading farming conglomerate, in cutting-edge packhouses and nurseries, Core Fruit's well-established expertise in exports, and Mission Produce's global reach. He also noted that South Africa holds a distinct logistical advantage compared to major competitors like Peru, thanks to shorter shipping times to China. 'This logistical edge, coupled with ZZ2's early production timing, allows South African avocados to access the Chinese market during a period of lower supply.' In August 2023, South Africa and China concluded a phytosanitary agreement that saw the first 21 tons South African avocados from Westfalia Fruits arriving in Shanghai on 8 October 2024. With the 2024 shipment, South Africa became the third African nation to enter the Chinese market, following Kenya and Tanzania. Expanding market access for South African agriculture remains one of Steenhuisen's priorities. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
