The production of avocados in South Africa started in the 1930s by Dr Hans Merensky who established the first avocado orchards at Westfalia Estate in the Limpopo Province. This company’s technical division: Westfalia Technological Services (WTS), has now become the world’s largest privately-funded subtropical fruit research organisation. The South African Avocado Growers Association (SAAGA) was established in the late 1960s to improve production and marketing of avocados. SAAGAs membership of over 500 growers constitutes over 95% of South Africa’s avocado export production. The South African avocado industry grew from 2 000 ha in the early 1970s to 12 000 ha in 2003. In January 2019, there was about 17 500 ha planted in South Africa with an estimated increase of at least 1 000 ha to 1 500 ha planted per year.
Source: About Avocados, South Africa
Avocados have become a major player in African cuisine in many countries, especially Kenya.
Tifine Wise shares a week of her meals, some with piles of avocado.
Other countries are getting into the avocado business as well, including Uganda and Nigeria. Hopefully this will lead to more local farmers being empowered to resist the foreign neo colonialist influence in politics.