A new Hortgro-funded initiative will extract more value from existing research investment. By Anna Mouton. South Africa has been called a world in one country partly thanks to our diverse natural environment. This might be great for tourists but poses…
Provar’s well-known fruit tastings showcase the latest cultivars and selections that belong to IP representatives and fruit breeders. The fruit tasting provides an opportunity for industry and consumers to taste, discuss and see the samples, simultaneously Provar gains valuable insight…
Consumers want uniformly dark green Granny Smith apples without blemishes. What light environment in the canopy will produce this result? Granny Smith is among the top three apple cultivars planted in South Africa, accounting for 13% of the total area…
By Jacques du Preez A second black swan event in two years and the impact thereof was completely unforeseen, dramatic, and severe. The industry was faced with fruit in transit prior to the war starting as well as further shipments…
In this column about the history of apple varieties in South Africa, we will investigate and explore why some varieties succeed and others disappear. The column will consist of extracts taken from a book by Henk Griessel and Buks Nel,…
By Elise-Marie Steenkamp Before she blew out her first birthday candle, Faith Nogemane’s life story is straight from a Hollywood script. She was born, 25 years ago as the last of her mother, Ellie’s six children – who at that…
On 19 August 2014 a group of 19 fruit farmers decided to launch a regional initiative for inclusive agricultural growth, job creation and improved social harmony in line with the National Development Plan. This was to become Partners in Agri…
Based on remarks by political economist Ronak Gopaldas at the Hortforum meeting, March 2026 By Elise-Marie Steenkamp Three weeks into the war in Iran, the world is grappling with a conflict that is far more complex — and potentially far…
In any given set-up, organisation, team or business, different threads connect all the right dots, making it work splendidly. At the farm Laastedrif, at the top of Bo-Swaarmoed in the Witzenberg District, one of these threads was woven by a…
“We are at a historical moment in time to turn the tide against the coronavirus pandemic. The central weapon to achieve this is through mass vaccination that will reduce mortality, protect the health care system from being overwhelmed, achieve adequate…
Nitasha Baijnath-Pillay, Hortgro Resource and Sustainability Manager, shares some tips for growers on how to develop a sustainable perspective on their farms. Having a long-term perspective: Long-term planning, continuous innovation, and sufficient investment in research and development, adopting new technologies and…
Ever heard of the Newton Apple, Northern Spy, Pomme de Neige, and Cox Orange Pippen? These are but a few of the near-lost apple varieties that are preserved in Tru-Cape’s Heritage Orchard on Oak Valley Estate in Grabouw, of which…