Thanks to Westfalia avocados, Woolworths can now assist with developing small local enterprizes while combating climate change. 

As part of its sustainability programme, which they call their Good business journey, Woolworths is committed to contributing to South Africa’s socio-economic transformation by helping to develop small local enterprises.

At the same time, they’re also continually looking for ways to combat climate change by reducing their carbon footprint.

Now, thanks to a suggestion from their long-standing avocado supplier, they’ve found a way to do both at the same time.

Due to growing seasons in South Africa’s traditional avocado-growing regions, producers have only been able to supply the market for nine months of the year.

For the other three months, Woolworths has had to import avos from Spain in order to meet local demand.

Not content with the situation, Woolworths approached its long-time avo supplier, Westfalia, and asked them to identify possible projects that could assist them in reducing their carbon footprint while also providing a market for emerging farmers.

Rising to that challenge, Westfalia suggested that Woolies contact a group of small farmers situated to the north and northwest of traditional avo-growing areas around Hoedspruit and Tzaneen.

Due to favourable climatic conditions, these small-scale Venda farmers could potentially supply avos two weeks earlier than Westfalia itself, which means that Woolworths could reduce their dependence on imported fruit and help these small farmers grow their market.

Westfalia, South Africa’s largest avo producer, would provide the necessary training and expertise.

Following an initial development phase, one farmer was identified as having immediate potential. Ndivhuwo Nyambeni has 10 hectares of avocados and currently supports 12 people.

He has an additional 40 hectares of land that is currently being surveyed to plant new orchards.

In addition, an additional 100 ha belonging to the Lwamondo community is also being surveyed to plant a new early maturing cultivar.

The eventual aim is that these 140 ha will be able to completely replace the imported avos with locally grown fruit as well as providing much-needed employment for the local community.

The project is now in its second season: Woolworths has extended loans which have helped Mr Nyambeni purchase necessary equipment, including spraying systems to help prevent blackspot, a fungal infection that affects the avocados’ skin.

Westfalia, which packs the avos on his behalf, continues to fulfil a mentoring role in addition to administering the loans on his behalf.

And Mr Nyambeni continues to learn and grow his farm, providing fruit to Woolworths, jobs for his neighbours, and building a future for his family.

Click here for quick ideas on how to make more of avocados

ABOUT WESTFALIA

Westfalia South Africa’s largest avocado producer, and a long-standing Woolworths supplier. It has received two eco-efficiency awards from Woolworths in recognition of the sterling work they do, particularly in terms of understanding the carbon footprint of their avocado production.

Click here for interesting facts about the different typs of avocados and the avocado's health properties