AgriSound and Westfalia study avocado pollination in South Africa

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AgriSound has entered a collaboration with global avocado producer Westfalia Fruit to study pollinator activity and improve avocado breeding and commercial production through real-time monitoring technology.

The partnership will use bioacoustic data to analyse pollination patterns and identify how different avocado genotypes attract pollinators. The information will support Westfalia’s research and development programmes and provide insight into how pollination affects fruit set, yield, and quality.

© AgriSound

Avocado production in South Africa was valued at nearly US$87 million annually before the pandemic, with projections indicating potential market growth to around US$483.8 million by 2030. Despite this, fruit set remains low, averaging about 1% due to the complex nature of avocado flowering. Studies suggest that improved pollination can substantially raise fruit set in low-yielding orchards, underlining the importance of pollinators in avocado production systems.

According to AgriSound pollination specialist Robin Wilson Robert, the collaboration combines the company’s real-time monitoring technology with Westfalia’s experience in large-scale avocado production. He said, “Pollination is one of the most powerful yet under-optimised methods for improving yield and sustainability in avocados. By combining Westfalia’s expertise in sustainable production with our real-time pollinator monitoring, we can deliver measurable improvements for both breeding activities and commercial production.”

The initial phase of the project will involve installing AgriSound sensors at two Westfalia sites in Tzaneen, South Africa. The sensors will record pollinator activity and microclimate conditions to support breeding research, improve fruit set and yield consistency, and refine bee colony management to reduce inputs and carbon emissions.

© AgriSound

Westfalia’s Research Manager, Dr. Zelda van Rooyen, said, “This collaboration marks an important step in our ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainable production. AgriSound’s technology gives us a new lens through which to understand and optimise pollination. It helps us to strengthen resilience in the face of environmental challenges, and plan long-term strategies for managing pollinators in our orchards and breeding sites.”

The pilot project will run through 2025–2026, with findings expected to contribute to a long-term pollinator management framework that could be applied across Westfalia’s global network of avocado growers.

For more information:
Agrisound
Email: [email protected]
www.agrisound.io

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Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies