There is plenty of selection among avocado varieties. Like most tree crops, one kind of avocado is grafted onto the rootstock of another kind to produce either a hybrid or a different kind. This method of propagation is the best to get the variety you desire.
The number of avocado nurseries in South Africa is going up by the year. These nurseries have become home to the thriving avocado industry that is able to provide fruit for export and domestic markets. Some of them are used for trials of new cultivars that are suited to the South African climate. Nurseries that sell avocado seedlings to commercial growers have to be certified by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
Avocado Cultivars South Africa
Avocado cultivars are either purple/black or green-skinned. They vary in size, shape and time of maturity. The South African Avocado Growers Association (SAAGA) says black-skinned cultivars represent around 58.7% of the national plantings while green-skinned cultivars represent around 35.9%. The most widely grown cultivar in South Africa is Hass followed by Fuerte and then Pinkerton.
Types of Avocados in South Africa
According to a 2019/2020 census report by SAAGA, 14,260 hectares was covered by avocado trees of different kinds.
Here are the differences between some of the avocado types in South Africa:
Hass Avocado South Africa
- It covers 6,485 hectares, 45.5% of the national plantings
- It is available from May to October
- It is oval in shape
- It has a rough, pebbly skin that turns from green to purplish-black when ripe
- It is medium to large in size
- It has a buttery texture with a rich, nutty taste
Fuerte Avocado South Africa
- It covers 2,953 hectares, 20.7% of the national plantings
- It is available from March to August
- It is pear-shaped
- It has a thin, smooth skin that remains green even when ripe
- It is medium to large in size
- It has a creamy flavor with a slightly nutty taste
Pinkerton Avocado South Africa
- It covers 1,055 hectares, 7.4% of the national plantings
- It has the shortest season because it is only available in June and July
- It is pear-shaped with a long neck
- It is has a pebbled skin that remains green even when ripe
- It is large in size
- It has a sweet taste with nutty flavor
Ryan
- It covers 784 hectares, 5.5% of the national plantings
- It is available from August to October
- It is oval in shape
- It has rough skin that remains green even when ripe
- It is medium to large in size
Edranol
- It covers 161 hectares, 1.1% of the national plantings
- It is available from June to September
- It is oval to pear-shaped
- It has a thick skin that remains green even when ripe
- It is medium to large in size
- It has an nutty flavor with an excellent taste
Reed
- It covers 85 hectares, 0.6% of the national plantings
- It is available from September to November
- It is rounded or egg-shaped
- It has a thick skin that remains green even when ripe
- It is large in size
- It has a light, slightly nutty taste
Other cultivars cover about 2,737 hectares combined which is 19.3% of the national plantings. Even though South African avocados come into season at different times of the year, they are still available out of season in small quantities.
Commercial varieties like Hass and Fuerte are mainly grown for export markets. Since there is demand for locally grown avocados all year round, some avocado producers have introduced new types and planted them in various altitudes. This will reduce the need for South Africa to import avocados during its off-season.