The South African Avocado Growers’ Association is a membership-based organisation that is run by and made up of people who are interested in the avocado growing industry.
AGA has a voluntary membership that accounts for 95% of South African avocado exports. Activities of the association are funded by its grower members through levies on local and export sales. Although SAAGA is funded by growers other role players, such as export companies, are also members.
The community, research and access created by SAAGA can improve the avocado industry at a more rapid rate than an individual could, as the association aims to create a community of people sharing knowledge about the industry. Membership is therefore open to anyone who has an interest in the avocado industry.
The association is involved in the following activities:
Technical support and advisory services to its growers
Funding of appropriate technical and market research
Provision of relevant market information
Local market development through generic promotion
Liaison with government and other bodies both locally and abroad.
Furthermore, SAAGA has funded generic promotion of avocados in the domestic market for 20 years. Campaigns have been largely Public Relations based, educating consumers about the health aspects and culinary versatility of avocados. These campaigns have contributed to the steady growth in demand for avocados in South Africa.
South Africa supplies avocados from the southern hemisphere when production in the northern hemisphere is limited as well as to a growing l...