A Summary from the WAPA Report: August 2021 – European forecast The World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) released the 2021 European apple and pear crop estimate. In 2021, the apple production in the EU for the 28 top producing…
By Elise-Marie Steenkamp Agriculture as a sector has unmeasurable strategic economic value. And it is unfair to hold farmers in 2021 responsible for historic events. These were two of the core messages at the recent Agri SA media briefing regarding…
South African plum growers have reported excellent crop quality this season as they look to inspire UK consumers to choose their fruit. With the plum season now in full swing, the governing body of the South African Deciduous Fruit Industry,…
Despite Covid-19 and a few tough drought years, the deciduous fruit industry has been blessed with exceptional harvests in every fruit category managed by Hortgro, after “near-perfect growing conditions”. Hortgro expects a record apple and pear harvest this season, despite…
By Grethe Bestbier ExperiCo Agri-Research Solutions is handing over its leadership reigns to Dr Ian Crouch, who has been appointed as new Managing Director. Crouch will take over this responsibility from Dr Johan Fourie, who is shifting his focus to…
By Pieter Arnold Smit, Kandas Cloete Over the past 5 years, the most significant growth in bearing area and area planted of stone fruit types arose from expansion in plum production. Production was set to recover from the drought of…
Prepared by Brian Berkman The last years have been challenging for one and all but, for Andre Cloete, a Tru-Cape apple and pear grower, near Greyton in the Western Cape’s Overberg region, it has been especially hard. “My wife Charmaine…
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…