The South African stone fruit industry is preparing for the 2025/2026 export season with optimism, thanks to favourable weather conditions during winter and blossoming, which led to good fruit set and fruit quality across most production regions. Overall export volumes…
The current pome fruit season is well underway after a later start, says Jacques du Preez, Hortgro General Manager: Trade & Markets. “The season so far is 7 – 10 days later than normal. This can be attributed to a…
This is the New Roots column, where we find out more about our peers in the deciduous fruit industry. What makes them tick? Next up is Liza Ambraal, shareholder and packhouse manager at Dwarsberg in Witzenberg near Ceres. Liza Ambraal…
NEW SERIES: AGRITOURISM AND BUSINESS INNOVATION IN THE DECIDUOUS FRUIT INDUSTRY Farming is ceaselessly evolving. At first, it was all about food for survival for the farmer and his family. Today, farming is big business. Scientifically and economically speaking. Yet,…
Why the deciduous-fruit industry must factor hydroclimate whiplash into long-term planning. By Anna Mouton. On average, the Earth has warmed by at least 1.5 °C, and, on average, South African pome- and stone-fruit growers can expect reduced winter chill, more…
Earlier this month the Global Cold Chain Alliance held a panel discussion in Cape Town about ‘Fire Risk Insurance Challenges for Refrigerated Warehouses’. The panel discussion was arranged to share information on property insurance and risk challenges related to fire…
Runaway veld fires move through landscapes at an astonishing pace, destroying property, natural habitats, and sometimes even lives. Over the past year, several of our production regions were decimated by wildfires. As summer approaches, local fruit producers should fine-tune their…
Dr Sifiso Ntombela, chief economist of the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) was recently also appointed as Deputy-President of the Agricultural Economics Association of SA. What are agriculture’s biggest challenges a) locally b) in Africa c) the rest of the…
By Lucille Botha Six years after its debut on the international stage, South Africa’s homegrown apple brand, Flash Gala, has reached a remarkable milestone. Over one million cartons of this sought-after variety were exported for the first time in a…
Not all exporters and producers use marketing agreements when procuring and exporting fruit. According to a statement by the Fresh Producer Exporters’ Forum (FPEF) this leads to misunderstandings and complaints. In order to try and prevent that, and to assist both parties,…
Although Hein Punt was born in and did cut his teeth on apples in the Western Cape, he is today well-rooted in the Eastern Free State at Maluti Fruit near Bethlehem. He talked to Gerrit Rautenbach about the differences and…
