Dive Brief:
- The U.S.-South Africa Avocado Committee, a newly formed partnership between U.S. and South African avocado companies, is looking to make moves with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and African Growth and Opportunity Act to allow shipments of South African avocados into the U.S.
- Binational committee chairman Zac Bard of Westfalia, Johannesburg, South Africa, said, "It is also the first binational agricultural committee between the U.S. and Africa. Such a committee signals an exciting new era of innovation and partnership in bringing high quality South African avocados to the U.S."
- Approval for South African avocados in the U.S. could mean export opportunities for other African nations as well, including "Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe," according to Bard.
Dive Insight:
If the U.S. and South Africa can work out a deal, this could alleviate some of the strain put on the avocado market in the U.S. due to nearing over-consumption. Besides the U.S. itself, particularly California, Mexico is one of the largest producers of avocados for the U.S., so the doors that could be opened with South African exports may be a welcome addition for avocado-loving consumers and food companies that use the fruit in their products.