From SA to Tokyo: Avocado farmers embrace Japan exports

South African avocado farmers and exporters could be cashing in soon with Japan expecting its first shipment from June this year – if the Durban port is ready and operational.

Fingers are crossed that the ports and infrastructure will be ready for the first batch to leave the country. This comes after the government recently made money available for ports to function, but the turnaround time remains a big headache for exporters.

Hopes remain high

Chief executive officer of South Africa Subtropical Growers Association Derek Donkin said they are hopeful that by the time the first shipment leaves the ports, the situation would've improved.

He said exporters are weighing their options on how best to ship their avocados with the key focus of ensuring that the new market is sustained and kept happy.

Nevertheless, Donkin is adamant that the new market is going to bring drastic changes to the industry locally and boost Mzansi's economy.

READ NEXT: Ports paralysed: R98m daily loss sparks urgent calls for overhaul

A breath of fresh air

"Japan is now an additional market for South African avocado farmers. It provides marketing options other than our traditional export markets including the European Union and the United Kingdom, which currently absorbs 95% of avocado exports. Diversification of markets provides new opportunities and reduces business risk.

"New markets will also absorb some of the crops from new orchards that have been planted over the last five years and are now coming into production. Importantly, new markets allow for continued expansion of the avocado industry which provides additional employment, foreign currency for the country, and upliftment in poor rural areas," Donkin said.

Donkin added that Japan did not ban Mzansi's avocados during the initial phase but that this is the first time South Africa is going to export to Japan.

ALSO READ: Beware of immature avocados as season looms

Pressure mounts on ports

"A ban in the Japanese context means that imports are not allowed. This is different to our understanding of the word 'ban' which implies that our avocados were previously allowed into Japan but then were stopped from entering. Therefore, the 'lifting of the ban' is market access to Japan for the first time," he said.

Matthew Churchill, global manager for Westfalia Fruit, said the produce industry as a whole trusts government agencies in providing funding to expand the ports and create the enabling structures for the growth of the crucial, dynamic produce industry of South Africa which provides employment and foreign exchange for the country.

"There are challenges with the current situation at South Africa’s ports and it is well known that much needs to be done in the short, medium, and long term to combat the current situation.

"A challenge shall be faced in ensuring that the fruit has reached suitable maturity levels at the point of harvest to sustain the low-temperature regime of 2°C for 19 days. Hence, the first shipments are estimated to take place in June, further into the South African season," he said.

READ NEXT: All you need to know about growing avocados

A new dawn

Churchill said with South Africa’s excellent, long, and well-established expertise in all aspects of production, including quality traits, the Japanese market is set to be a great success for the two countries.

"This shall greatly assist in growing the avocado market in Japan, helping to positively shape the health of the overall avocado industry.

"Japan is an established, very specialised market for avocados with meticulous requirements, for quality and standards . With consumption being close to 100 000 tons per year, Japan is the largest importer and consumer of avocados in the East Asia region," he said.