Avocados are one of the most popular fruits in Southern Africa. This fruit is delicious and nutritious, and it is also high in fats. Avocados are usually eaten raw but can also be used to make other foods such as guacamole, salsa or mashed avocado with sour cream (guacamole dip).
Avocado is a tree native to Mexico and Central America. The avocado tree produces large, pear-shaped fruits with a green peel and soft flesh inside. The flesh has an oily texture with a subtle flavour that some people say tastes like buttery nuts or grapes; others say it’s similar to cheese!
The Namibian avocado industry has been growing since the country gained independence in 1990.
- Avocado is a popular fruit in Namibia.
- The average Namibian eats about 0.6 avocados per year (a little more than half an avocado).
The average Namibian eats a little more than half an avocado per year, and more than a third of the population has never tried one.
The avocado (Persea americana) is a fruit that grows on trees native to southwestern Mexico and South America. Avocados are considered “technically” a berry because they grow from fleshy fruits that enclose the seeds, but not all berries have pits inside them as avocados do. They can be eaten raw or cooked in dishes or just by themselves!
The two main varieties grown in Namibia are Fuerte and Hass.
Fuerte is a Mexican variety and is grown in Namibia. It has thin skin and a large seed, making it easy to eat as well as being rich in nutrients. The Hass variety is Californian, with dark green skin and smaller seeds than Fuerte. It was introduced to southern Africa around 1920 by Dr AL Wilson from the USDA in California.
The two main varieties grown in Namibia are Fuerte and Hass
Avocado trees were introduced to Namibia in the early 1960s, and the Hass variety was first sold commercially in 1935. The Hass is the most popular avocado variety grown in Namibia, as its fruits tend to have a longer shelf life than Fuerte avocados and can be harvested before they are fully ripe.
Avocados are grown throughout Namibia
Avocado trees are grown throughout Namibia from moderate altitudes up to 1,500 m, with the best products being between 800 m and 1,200 m above sea level. The climate of Namibia is mild and dry with temperatures ranging from 22°C (72°F) in January to 36°C (97°F) in June. These conditions support a wide range of crops including wheat and barley and subtropical fruit trees like avocado which require a temperature range between 15°C and 30°C for optimum growth.
Avocado is a popular fruit that is grown widely in Namibia
Avocados are known for their health benefits, including being high in fat, but also be good for you. They are also a good source of potassium and vitamin B6, two nutrients that can help prevent high blood pressure and stroke.
In addition to their healthy qualities, avocados taste great! You can enjoy this fruit as part of your morning toast or sandwich, as an appetizer with some lime juice drizzled over it before dicing it up into bite-sized pieces (or just eating them whole if you’re feeling daring), sliced on top of salads—the possibilities are endless!