On the morning of Oct. 10, the first container of South African avocados to reach China arrived at the Shanghai Huizhan Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market. Dole China, together with the Huizhan market and Shanghai Jinyun Trading Co. Ltd., hosted a ceremony to celebrate the shipment’s arrival and mark the beginning of South African avocado sales in China.
Owing to South Africa’s unique climate, avocados cultivated there typically possess a rich, creamy texture similar to those from Mexico and Peru. However, compared with avocados from other origins, those from South Africa feature a distinctly buttery and nutty flavor, which is ascribed to regional variations in soil and weather.
In addition to avocado quality, the transportation time from South Africa was emphasized at the event. Shipping from South Africa is notably faster than that from Peru, China’s current primary source of avocados. The average journey time for Peruvian avocados is about 40 days, which significantly reduces the shelf life of the fruit upon arrival. Thus, Dole believes that South Africa may serve as a viable alternative to the countries already exporting their avocados to China.
With respect to packaging, the first shipment was a combination of 4-kilogram standard carton boxes containing larger fruits (18–24 avocados per box) and plastic crates containing smaller fruits (26–28 avocados per crate). Dole stated that the debut batch would be offered through wholesalers, retailers and e-commerce channels.
The countries that currently supply avocados to the Chinese market include Peru, Chile, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Colombia and the United States, among others. According to data from China Customs, Peru is the biggest supplier of avocados to China, accounting for over 76% of all imports. Chile, Kenya and Mexico come next on the list.