Jaco Wolmarans wins Hortgro Photo Competition 2026

Somerset West – Hortgro is proud to announce Jaco Wolmarans as the winner of the Hortgro Photo Competition 2026, following an impressive response of more than 260 entries from across South Africa. Jaco received his R10 000 cash prize at the annual Hortgro Awards, held on Friday, 11 September 2026, at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West.

The competition once again showcased the remarkable beauty, people, landscapes and stories that form part of the deciduous fruit industry. From orchards in full production to the people who make the industry thrive, the photographs captured the sector’s character and diversity. The competition was themed “Capture the heart of the stone and pome fruit industry”.

With more than 260 photographs submitted, selecting a winner was no easy task. Three independent judges from different media sectors were tasked with reviewing the entries and choosing the photograph that best captured the industry’s spirit and essence.

After careful consideration, Jaco Wolmarans’ photograph titled “Take your pick” was selected as the overall winner of an R10 000 cash prize.

“Hortgro would like to congratulate Jaco and thank everyone who entered this year’s competition,” said Elise-Marie Steenkamp, Hortgro Group Communications Manager. “The quality and diversity of the entries demonstrate not only the incredible photographic talent within our industry, but also the passion people have for the places, people and stories that make South African deciduous fruit special,” Steenkamp said. Jaco’s photograph stands out for its depth, clarity, and composition. “Anyone who has ever shot pictures in an orchard knows that there are so many elements that influence a good photo, especially when it is captured in real-time and not staged.”

The Hortgro Photo Competition aims to become an annual celebration of the industry, captured through the lens of those who know it best. Hortgro looks forward to sharing the winning and selected photographs with the broader industry throughout the year.

Congratulations to Jaco Wolmarans and all the 2026 entrants! Here’s to capturing the heart of Pome & Stone Fruit!