Farmers urged to tap into avocado production

Namibia has the potential to produce over 800 tonnes of avocados annually for the local market, which is valued at an estimated N$16 million spent on avocado imports yearly.

This is according to the 2024 Market Intelligence Report for Avocados by the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB). According to the report, commercial avocado production in Namibia is almost non-existent.

It said Namibia imported 756 tonnes of avocados - valued at N$14.5 million - in 2021/2022. This figure substantially increased to 889 tonnes, valued at N$16.4 million, in 2022/2023.

“This high import indicates that avocado is a high-value crop and therefore vital to the Namibian fruits consumption.”

The report added that a study by NAB in 2022 indicated that Namibia has at least 201 avocado trees located mostly in the Kavango and Karst production zones.

It further showed that over 1 200 avocado seedlings are being imported into the country every year.

“The study unfortunately did not further determine the level of production in terms of yield quantity and thus the country has no official records for avocado production.”

High imports

According to the report, consumption, however, is eminently proven by the high imports of avocados. Data from the NAB showed that Namibia’s avocado consumption increased from 756.9 tonnes consumed during 2021/2022 to 889.5 tonnes consumed during 2022/2023.

This consumption is mostly dominated by imports as local production accounts for less than one tonne for each financial year, it noted.

Meanwhile, 100% of Namibia’s avocado imports in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 were from South Africa.

“Namibia did not record any exports for avocados. However, there was about less than a tonne of avocados sold by local producers valued at less than N$10 000 in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 accordingly," the NAB said.

Because Namibia does not produce avocados for commercial purposes and largely imports to satisfy the growing local demand, there is a potential to produce more than 800 tonnes for the local market, valued at over N$16 million, it said.

“Local farmers are, therefore, encouraged to tap into avocado production to supply the local market and counter the current high avocado import especially those in areas suitable for avocado production.”

African perspective

From an African perspective, avocado production on the continent has also been on an increasing trend with 1.2 million tonnes recorded in 2022 from 882 000 tonnes in 2018.

Kenya was responsible for 38% (458 439 tonnes) of Africa’s avocado production in 2022. The second largest avocado producer in Africa in 2022 was Ethiopia, where 14% (167 884 tonnes) was produced. Ethiopia is followed by South Africa with a total production of 103 602 tonnes (9%).

The report further said that as is the case for global consumption, avocado consumption in Africa has also been on an increasing trend.

A consumption of 811 499 tonnes was recorded in 2020, an increase from 580 471 tonnes in 2018 and 634 505 tonnes in 2019.

Out of the total 811 499 tonnes of avocados consumed in Africa in 2020, more than half (54%) of this was consumed by Ethiopia (28%) and Kenya (27%) alone.

In terms of avocado consumption in southern Africa, South Africa alone is responsible for 95.2%, which is equivalent to 35 953 tonnes per year based on a three-year average from 2018 to 2020.

During the same period, Namibia consumed the second highest quantity of 849 tonnes (2.2%), followed by Botswana with 520 tonnes (1.4%), Eswatini with 357 tonnes (0.9%) and Lesotho with 99 tonnes (0.3%).