Avocado season is in full swing in South Africa from March through to September. You will notice different shapes, colours and flavours of Avocados, but which one is your favourite? The creamy buttery type, or the milder firm types? Most people know about the big KZN butter avos, but do you know where avos are mostly grown in South African? It’s time to learn…
This Avo Guide is thanks to the SAAGA. If you’re an Avo-lover, then follow them on social media to learn more about Avos, and get some delicious Avocado recipes.
AVOCADO VARIETIES
Edranol
Availability:
From June to September
Characteristics:
A thick green skin with small light brown speckles (lenticels). It stays green when ripe and the flesh has a rich, nutty taste.
Fuerte
Availability:
From March to July
Characteristics:
Pear or egg-shaped. It has a thin waxy skin, which remains green on ripening and separates easily from the flesh. The flesh has a rich creamy texture.
Hass
Availability:
From May to October
Characteristics:
Egg-shaped with a rough green skin, which usually turns purple-black when ripe. The flesh is firm with a creamy texture and a slightly nutty taste. The thick skin is an advantage when serving half an avocado as the flesh can be easily scooped out.
Lamb Hass
Availability:
From August to November
Characteristics:
Shiny pebbly skin that turns purple black, and is squarish at the stem end. Unlike Hass, it may turn dark before ripening.
Maluma Hass
Availability:
From March to July
Characteristics:
Has a thick, pebbly dark green, shiny skin that turns purple-black once ripe. The flesh has a rich nutty taste.
Pinkerton
Availability:
From April to July
Characteristics:
A pronounced thickish neck compared to most other cultivars. It has a thick, rough, green skin that does not yield easily to pressure and remains green when ripe. The flesh is sometimes slightly sweet.
Ryan
Availability:
From July to October
Characteristics:
Egg-shaped with a green skin that does not change colour on ripening. It is popular towards the end of the avocado season.
Reed
Availability:
From September to November
Characteristics:
Has a more rounded shape and is usually quite large. Ripe fruit remains green and is soft to the touch. It has a distinctive taste with a creamy, smooth, buttery texture.
AVOCADO PRODUCTION
% Production by province
Limpopo:
± 60 %
Mpumalanga:
± 29 %
KZN:
± 9 %
Cape provinces:
± 2 %
INDUSTRY FACTS:
- 19 000 ha planted in South Africa
- ±1500 ha new plantings annually
- 5-year average annual production: 125 600 t.
- Employment: 1 permanent worker / 2.6 h.a.
- Time to full production: 6-8 years
If you want to learn more, read this Avocado Production Guide thanks to the SAAGA (South African Avocado Growers Association), the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries.
