Fresh avocados picked from the branches of South African orchards can soon be delivered to Chinese consumers. In recent years, with the popularity of consumer trends such as "light food" and "low fat", avocados have become increasingly popular among Chinese consumers due to their low sugar, high fiber content, and high content of unsaturated fatty acids. Avocado salad, avocado milkshake, avocado tea drink... The consumption scene of avocado in the Chinese market is becoming more diversified, and the consumption volume is constantly increasing, bringing new opportunities for avocados from countries such as South Africa to explore the Chinese market. Since being approved for export to China in 2023, South African fresh avocados have continued to be exported to the Chinese market, injecting new momentum into Sino South economic and trade cooperation. Recently, reporters visited avocado production companies and avocado industry associations in South Africa to explore the big story of Sino South friendly cooperation behind the small avocado. In the early morning, the journalist drove north from the town of Chanen in Limpopo Province, northern South Africa, with the aim of boosting the confidence of avocado industry professionals. On the rolling hills on both sides of the road, there are many avocado trees in the lush forests. Mature avocados hang from the branches, with a shiny and smooth skin that is particularly eye-catching. At Westphalia's avocado orchard in Channen, workers in green uniforms are using mesh bags to remove avocados and pack them into backpacks slung over their bodies. After filling the backpack, the workers loaded the avocado onto the transport truck. Subsequently, these avocados are transported to the avocado packaging factory for testing, cleaning, sorting, packaging, and other procedures. Avocado is an important economic crop in South Africa, with a planting area of over 20000 hectares and maintaining an annual growth trend of 800 hectares. Limpopo Province is one of the main producing areas of avocados in South Africa. Hans Boyum, Business Director for Africa at Westphalia, introduced that the current annual production of avocados in South Africa is about 160000 tons, of which 40% to 45% are exported to the international market, with an annual export value of about 5 billion rand (1 yuan is about 2.47 rand). In August 2023, South Africa became the third African country after Kenya and Tanzania to obtain access to fresh avocado exports to China. In October 2024, the first batch of avocados from South Africa entered China through the "Green Channel" for African agricultural products, and were showcased at the 7th China International Import Expo. In May of this year, South African fruit export company ZZ2 exported the first batch of avocado for the 2025 season to China and sold it through physical supermarkets, online platforms, and other channels. As of now, South Africa has exported about 100 tons of avocados to the Chinese market. South Africa is the largest exporter of avocados in Africa, and the Chinese market provides more diverse export channels for South African avocados. ”Boyum said, "The entry of South African avocados into the Chinese market not only provides Chinese consumers with richer choices, but also enhances the confidence of South African avocado practitioners." "Establishing a unique competitive advantage in the Chinese market" Walking into ZZ2's avocado packaging plant in Channen, what catches the eye is a highly automated avocado packaging line. The workers skillfully package the avocados and then transport them to the cold storage to "cool them down" before proceeding with the entire cold chain transportation. In the control room, technicians are staring at the screen, recording the operation of the production line. The screen displays detailed information such as the weight per unit of avocado, defect situation, and recommended classification level. This device can capture specific information to identify avocados and achieve automated classification of avocados, "said Clive Garrett, marketing manager of ZZ2 company. The production line can process up to 30 tons of avocado per hour. Avocados are classified into different grades through processes such as maturity testing, screening for bad fruits, cleaning of skin, and machine classification. Avocados with good appearance will enter the retail and wholesale markets, while avocados with defects in the skin that do not affect consumption will be sent to processing plants for the production of avocado puree, avocado oil, and other products. ”Garrett said. In June of this year, Peter Fanzel, the General Manager of Production at ZZ2 Company, led a team to Shanghai, China for inspection and to negotiate cooperation with Chinese distributors. We have communicated with the ZZ2 company team about the sales situation of South African avocados in China and discussed solutions to optimize shipping time, hoping to provide more experience for the next batch of South African avocados exported to China and better meet the needs of domestic consumers. ”Shi Chunyu, Executive Vice President of a Chinese avocado sales company, said. In 2023, China's avocado import volume is about 66000 tons, making it the largest avocado importing country in Asia. How can South African avocados stand out in competition with avocados from various regions around the world? South African avocados have advantages in terms of season and variety. Due to the planting areas spanning different latitudes and elevations, the production season of South African avocados lasts from February to December each year, providing the ability to continuously supply the export market. ”Derek Durkin, CEO of the South African Subtropical Fruit Growers Association, said that in terms of variety, green skinned avocados produced in South Africa have thin skin, sweet taste, and strong fiber, providing Chinese consumers with different taste choices. From the perspective of transportation, fresh beef oil fruits require high transportation efficiency. The 'Green Channel' for exporting African agricultural products to China launched by China has provided important convenience for exporting South African avocados to China. ”Shi Chunyu said that after South African avocados arrive at Chinese ports, customs will provide facilitation measures such as "unaccompanied inspection" according to the "green channel" standard, and prioritize inspection and clearance. From the perspective of industrial foundation, South African butter orchards are mostly operated on a large scale, with intensive and specialized farming methods, and rich experience in post harvest processing, cold chain transportation, and other aspects. ”Garrett stated that currently, the average time for transporting South African avocados to Chinese ports is 22 to 25 days. They are committed to adopting more mature cold chain technology, continuously optimizing shipping routes, ensuring product quality and transportation efficiency, and "establishing a unique competitive advantage for South African avocados in the Chinese market". In June of this year, the ministerial meeting of the coordinators for the implementation of the results of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation was held to seize the opportunity of the vigorous development of economic and trade exchanges between Africa and China. The Chinese side emphasizes that China is willing to implement zero tariffs on 100% tariff items for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations through the signing of economic partnership agreements for common development. This measure greatly enhances the confidence of the South African avocado industry in the prospects of the Chinese market. The South African avocado industry has identified China as one of the key emerging markets to explore. The implementation of zero tariff policy will undoubtedly further enhance our export competitiveness. ”Du Jin said, "The South African Subtropical Fruit Growers Association is working with relevant institutions to develop avocado specialty recipes in markets such as China, so that more Chinese consumers can fall in love with this healthy fruit." "The Chinese market is growing rapidly and has huge potential. With the continuous increase in demand for avocados among Chinese consumers, it will undoubtedly promote the vigorous development of the South African avocado industry. ”Du Jin said, "In addition to exporting fresh avocado, we have noticed that Yunnan Province in China is cultivating a local avocado industry. South Africa has over a hundred years of avocado cultivation history and has industrialization advantages. We look forward to cooperating with Chinese partners in the entire industry chain from avocado cultivation to processing." In recent years, African specialty agricultural products, including South African avocados, have continued to be popular in the Chinese market, and agricultural trade cooperation has become a new highlight of China Africa cooperation. We hope to seize the opportunity of the booming economic and trade exchanges between Africa and China, continuously expand the planting area and output, actively explore the Chinese market, and continuously enhance the competitiveness of South African agricultural products in the global market, "said Du Jin. (New Society)