China is hungry for avocados, and South Africa is ready to deliver as export deal gets the green light

A deal signed at last year’s Brics summit is coming to fruition as South Africa becomes the third African nation to export avocados to China

African agriculture has become a new focus for China after Xi Jinping promised to support the modernisation of the industry

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South Africa is hoping to send off its first avocado shipment to China next month as it becomes the third African country after Kenya (pictured) and Tanzania to export the fruit to the Asian power. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 10:00am, 15 Apr 2024Updated: 11:07am, 15 Apr 2024

South Africa, one of China’s most important trading partners in Africa, is preparing to ship its first batch of avocados to the Asian power as Beijing moves to meet growing demand for the superfood.

It will make South Africa the third African country, after Kenya and Tanzania, to be granted permission to export fresh avocados to China after meeting strict sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.

Increased imports of food products from Africa is part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s plan to support the continent’s agricultural modernisation – a promise made during last August’s Brics summit in Johannesburg.

But leading the way with avocados is also a win for China, where health-conscious consumers have a growing appetite for the fruit.

According to Derek Donkin, chief executive of the South African Subtropical Growers’ Association (Subtrop), the final registration of avocado orchards and packhouses is under way, with hopes that the first shipment will set off next month.

“A number of South Africa’s major exporters have already set up the necessary business contacts in China to be able to export as soon as the official requirements are met,” Donkin said.

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