South African avocado growers are hoping to continue their run of success in the UK, despite a lighter crop this year.
Production is estimated to hit 8.5 million 4kg cartons, down by one million on last year due to adverse weather conditions.
Derek Donkin, general manager of the South African Avocado Growers’ Association, said hot and dry weather in October had hit the crop.
“Quality is very good, however, and we’ll see how things progress throughout the season.” Donkin said that the fruit was also likely to be slightly larger than last year’s crop.
Werner Seele, chairman of SAAGA, said there was also
investment in ongoing research to improve fruit quality.
SAAGA is predicting strong UK demand this year, following a rise in household penetration up to 18.1%, from around 16% in the year 2000. The organisation is attributing this success partly to its ongoing generic PR campaign, branded Summer Avocados: Fresh From The South African Sun. This season the campaign will continue with a PR programme aimed at the consumer and trade press, as well as instore tastings and a new 24-page consumer booklet.
Work was also going on looking at new varieties and Donkin said this year would see increased volumes of Lamb-Hass, a derivative of Hass, on stream in September, although volumes were still small.
Ripe and ready remains a growing trend for avocados, and the South Africans estimate 30% of this seasons fruit will be marketed as ripe and ready.
Donkin said they were expecting a good season: “We saw strong consumer demand last year and we shall see it again this year.”
Ed Bedington