A recent auction in South Africa was selling 'Maluma' variety of avocado for $92 a tree.  That is more than the average price of avocado nursery trees in that country and a lot more than what is paid in California or Florida.  That variety has suddenly gotten a huge demand because of its sales characteristics accounting for 13% of the tree sales from one nursery there.  

This is a phenomenon that is going on world-wide not just for 'Maluma'. According to a CA nursery producer, the 'Maluma' sale is really a reflection of the world-wide demand for avocado trees and not necessarily this South African variety.  Avocado acreage is expanding world-wide.  So far 'Maluma' has a US import license, but has not been grown in CA, so we don't know its performance characteristics.  That should change soon according to the nurseryman.

Related story: South Africa: Maluma Day to challenge avocado sector's “convenient position”:

 http://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2017/03/08/south-africa-avocado-auction-shows-exorbitant-demand-maluma-trees/