Climate – South African Fresh Fruit ExportersSouth Africa’s climate varies because of the variation in latitude and height above sea level, together with the effect of ocean currents along the coast. GeographyThe country covers an area of 122.3 million ha of which 14 million ha is under cultivation. South Africa consists largely of an inland plateau, with an average height of 1200 m above sea level. Separating the plateau is escarpment from a narrow coastal belt, varying from 60 km in the west to more than 220 km in the east. The few perennial rivers in South Africa can be found in the south and on the eastern slopes of the plateau. The flow of these rivers are largely dependant and determined by rainfall, as there are no lakes or perennial snow fields. Horticulture Other major South African horticultural industries include citrus, pineapples, bananas, avocados, mangos, litchis, papayas, granadillas, guavas, macadamia nuts, pecan nuts, coffee, tea and ginger. Pineapples, bananas and avocados are the three most important fruits but citrus is the largest in this group. There has been a rapid growth rate in recent years of many tropical fruits, such as avocado and mango. South African Fresh Fruit Production Areas for Exports: South-western and southern regions of the Western Cape fresh fruit exporters: Low lying areas of Mpumalanga and the Northern Province fresh fruit exports: Lower reaches of the river valleys of the Eastern Cape fresh fruit exporters Upington Area |