Consumer interest in healthy oils is on the rise. Many are closely monitoring the oils they use for cooking or for skin and hair care. People have become afraid of chemicals and started looking for products that are more natural or safer.
Avocado oil is a multi-purpose product that has been proven to have numerous benefits. Avocado oil is available in oil form or as an ingredient in skin and hair products like creams and shampoos. Edible avocado oil is mild in flavor with a buttery taste and is good for different kinds of cooking.
The South African Avocado Growers’ Association (SAAGA) says 4,745 tons of avocado were processed into oil in 2021. This is a notable drop from 6,608 tons in 2020. In the last 10 years, the highest number of avocados used in oil processing was 8,696 tons in 2014 followed closely by 8,399 tons in 2018. The lowest number was 1,828 tons in 2017.
Avocado Oil Suppliers South Africa
Even though the avocado oil market in South Africa is still small, the country is a major avocado oil exporter. South Africa is among the top countries in the world that produces cold-pressed avocado oil. Avocado oil processing in South Africa is largely for export purposes.
Here are some of the avocado oil producers in South Africa:
Westfalia Fruit Avocado Oil
Westfalia Fruit process Hass avocados into crude, refined and cold pressed avocado oil. They market it to the cosmetic industry and food industry in both local and overseas markets. They are the first avocado oil producers in South Africa.
They made their first oil in 2006. Their products that are available in South Africa include plain and garlic, lemon or butter flavored avocado oils. They sell extra virgin avocado oil in the UK market.
Great Hearts of Africa
Great Hearts of Africa Limited is a family business based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province. They began operations in 2009. They supply natural and lemon or garlic flavored avocado oils mainly to the European market.
Mokhado
Mokhado is the brand name for the business owned by Gilbert and Rottcher families. They source avocados grown in Limpopo province. Their product is pure cold-pressed extra virgin avocado oil which they sell in the UK market.
O & 3 Limited
O & 3 Limited source avocados from South Africa. Their products are either organic or conventional cold pressed and refined avocado oils. They sell to markets in Europe and the U.S.
Da Gama Avocado Oil
Da Gama Avocado Oils has a factory in Mpumalanga province that processes avocados into extra virgin and refined avocado oil.
Del Avo Oil
Del Avo Oils is based in Tzaneen, Limpopo province. They process avocados into cold pressed avocado oil. They also produce cosmetic products like shampoos and lotions under the brand name Delme.
Avocado Oil Price South Africa
South Africans are slowly catching on to the usefulness of avocado oil. One of the retailers sells a 250ml bottle at R49 but it can go as high as R56 from another retailer.
The quality of avocado oil depends on the origin, weather conditions, avocado variety and extraction methods. Good avocado oil comes only in dark glass bottles so as to keep out light and oxygen to stop the oil from going rancid. The cold-pressed extraction method is the best because it allows the oil to retain its essential nutrients.
Avocado oil that has buttery taste and is green in color like avocados is the best option. A good extra virgin avocado oil should have low acidity which makes it a stable oil for high-heat cooking. Extra virgin cold-pressed avocado oil is more fresh and tastier than refined avocado oil.