Westfalia recently sent its first shipment of avocados to India, a large and growing destination for fruit that offers significant opportunities for South African avocado farmers, especially from May to August when South American farmers typically dominate the European market.

The company also shipped its first avocados to Japan this year. Access to Japan follows the recent lifting of the ban on Hass avocados, an important development for South African exporters. The agreed protocol requires cold treatment at 2°C for 19 days.

This agreement strengthens the growing economic relationship between Japan and South Africa, built on mutual trust and good people-to-people relationships, says Young.

Westfalia also expanded its presence in the Chinese market last year by adding South African avocados to the range of other fruits it exports there.

“The South African avocado industry is at a critical turning point, with new and growing markets shaping the future trajectory of the industry,” says Young.