Subject: Micro MBA in AVOCADO Pollination

Earn R3,640 Per Hectare With Your Bees

*As a Pollination Service Provider, You May Negotiate Up To R910/hive/hectare Rental Income!*

Wow, Friend

Did we stir the pot with your honeybees and pollination potential?
Read more below... we present our micro MBA report!

AVOCADOs RULE!

"The global appetite for avocados is adding to the price pressures of the fruit. The consumption of avocados has skyrocketed over the past two decades. Avocado is now one of the most traded fruits in the world."

[source: https://www.freshelaexporters.com/avocado/prices/south-africa]

Avocado pollination usually requires an insect vector. In Central America the avocado is pollinated by social bees (Meliponinae) and wasps (Vespidae). 


In other regions of the world and South Africa, honey bees (Apis mellifera) are the main pollinators. In parts of Australia, large numbers of hover flies visit avocado flowers.


Fruit set from cross pollination has also been observed to result in less subsequent fruit drop (Johannsmeier et al, 1997).

AVOCADO FARMING STATS!

National Production Stats:

  • 19 500 ha planted in South Africa (2023 SAAGA Census)

  • ±800 ha new plantings annually

  • 3-year average annual production: 139 400 t.

  • Employment: 1 permanent worker / 2.6 h.a.

  • Time to full production: 6-8 years [depending on stock chosen]

  • 550 - 800 trees per hectare / 4 hives per hectare for pollination                     [SRC: https://avocado.co.za/avocado-production-stats-regions/]

Regional Production Areas:

  • Limpopo: 54 %

  • Mpumalanga: 22 %

  • KZN: 18 %

  • Western Cape: 5 %

  • Eastern Cape: 1 %

AVOCADO FARMING PRODUCTION

"Based on international references, the yield of a mature tree per year may vary from 45 to 320 kg (100-700 lbs.) or 7-13 tonnes per hectare (6245 to 11598 lbs. per acre) (12)."


"By checking testimonials and reports from other avocado growing areas with similar climates, like California and South African farmers, we saw that our yield areas are similar, with experienced growers mentioning that Hass can yield 8-13 tonnes per hectare (t/ha) (7137 – 11598 lbs. per acre) and Fuerte 7-11 t/ha (6245 to 9813 lbs. per acre) (3)."


"However, if all conditions are favourable and the growers use suitable rootstocks, successfully control root rot, and apply irrigation and fertilization, they can achieve yields of even 20-23 tons per hectare (17843 to 20520 lbs. per acre) (24)."


"Keep in mind that the yield per hectare or acre is affected not only by the production per tree but also by the plant density and the number of trees per hectare." [src: https://wikifarmer.com/avocado-harvest-yield-per-hectare-and-storage/]

AVOCADO FARMING LOCAL PRODUCTION

As quoted by ZZ2 and published in 2016 by Clive Garret and Farmer's Weekly, "...along with adherence to best practices and timely pruning, ZZ2 has average yields at 16 tons per hectare, which is roughly double what other South African growers achieve [8ton/ha]."  

Avocado Pollination Stats

In South Africa, honeybees contribute up to 75% of the pollination on avocado orchards. Flies, butterflies and other pollinators make up the rest. *Some avocado varietals will also differ and cross pollination planting is vital for farmers whenever farming avocado.


The fruit set and quality both get boosted by honeybee pollination from placing 3 hives per hectare. I would recommend between 4-7 hives per hectare according to my research and experience as only 20-30% of bees are pollen foragers. Hives should be placed about 400m apart.


Adriaan Du Toit, Chairman of the South African Bee Industry Association in 2020, published the price guideline for pollinating avocados at R910 per hive per period of 42 days at a recommended hive density of 4 hives per ha.



In particular bees prefer citrus flowers to avocado flowers and have been recorded to avoid avocado flowers if flowering citrus trees are within 3 km (Davenport, 1986). Placement is very significant on the orchard and so is timing of introducing bees to avocado bloom. Bees travel down rows not across or through them.

South Africa sees higher profit margins from avocado exports than from those sold in the domestic market. It is not only the second biggest avocado supplier to the Netherlands with an 11% share but also to the larger European market with a 14% share.

[source: https://www.freshelaexporters.com/avocado/prices/south-africa]


Exports of avocados from South Africa were valued at about 110 million US Dollars in 2021.

Potential Extra Yield Formula:

*According to 2022 numbers from Joburg Market, the largest fresh produce market in South Africa, the average price of a 10kg carton of Fuerte avocados is R81 while a similar carton of Hass avocados is R60.

  • Up to 10 additional tons per hectare

  • Roughly 4 avocados per kilogram

  • 10kg cartons for Hass sells for R60 per carton

  • Calculation: 10,000kg /10kg per carton = 1000 cartons

  • @ R60 ea = R60,000 GROSS MORE / Hectare!

    Even at just a 20% increase in yield, from honeybee pollination services, this may result in R20,000 more gross revenue for avocado farmers per hectare!

Start Beekeeping Academy PRO

Why Partner with Us?

  1. Unprecedented Earnings: At StartBeekeeping.co.za, we've unlocked a formula that can multiply your hive's value. Imagine a scenario where you offer your services to farmers, securing up to R910 per hive, with four [4] hives per hectare over a 42 day period. Your potential for profit is enormous, and it's in your hands.

  2. Win-Win Collaboration: Farmers who benefit from your pollination services see their crop yields soar by up to 700+ mean number of fruits per tree with hives! [Compared to 227 mean number of fruits without your hives*.]
    [*Study by VITHANAGE, H.I.N.V. 1990. ‘The role of European honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) in avocado pollination’. Journal of Horticultural Science, 65: 81–86.*]

    This level of success not only ensures your continued collaboration but also strengthens your reputation as a top-notch beekeeper.

  3. Sustainable Growth: Beekeeping is more than just a hobby; it's a way to contribute to a sustainable ecosystem. By expanding your passion in to business services to agriculture, you're playing a vital role in enhancing food production and supporting the honeybee population.

Your Passion. Your Hives. Your Opportunity.

It's time to elevate your beekeeping enterprise. With a simple but revolutionary shift in your approach, you can watch your hive's worth grow exponentially.

By tapping into the demand for honeybee pollination, you not only secure your income but also become a crucial part of the agricultural success story.


The opportunity to earn up to R910 per hive x 4 hives per hectare is real, and the path to an additional 8-10 tons potential per hectare* for farmers is possible. *as reported in studies.  


Join us at Bee Ware®, and together, we'll create a buzzing, fruitful future for you and your honeybees.


Don't miss out on this extraordinary journey.


Contact us today at Bee Ware® to explore how we can help you make your bee hives more profitable than ever before.

Blue Book, Beekeeping in South Africa
Blue Book, Beekeeping in South Africa
ZAR 490.00
Buy now
Queen Excluder - Metal
Queen Excluder - Metal
ZAR 104.00
Buy now
Wax Foundation Sheets -Brood
Wax Foundation Sheets -Brood
ZAR 30.00
Buy now
Langstroth Beehive
Langstroth Beehive
ZAR 1,175.00
Buy now
Double Honey Strainer
Double Honey Strainer
ZAR 285.00
Buy now
Leather Bee gloves
Leather Bee gloves
ZAR 185.00
Buy now

Further reading:


Johannsmeier M.F., Swart D.J. and Morudu T.M. (1997). Honeybees in an avocado orchard: forager distribution, influence on fruit set and colony development. South African Avocado Growers’ Association Yearbook 20:39-41.

Francis H.L. (1996). Correlation between cross-pollination and fruit yield. South African Avocado Growers’ Association Yearbook 19:81.



Robbertse P.J, Coetzer L.A., Johannsmeier M.F., Swart D.J., Kohne J.S. and Morudu T.M. (1996). Hass yield on fruit size as influenced by pollination and pollen donor – a joint progress report. South African Avocado Growers’ Association Yearbook 19:63-67.


*Study by VITHANAGE, H.I.N.V. 1990. ‘The role of European honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) in avocado pollination’. Journal of Horticultural Science, 65: 81–86.*