FIVE QUESTIONS FOR DR SIFISO NTOMBELA
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…
Flash Gala surpasses one million cartons: A South African apple success story
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…
FPEF issues marketing agreements document
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,…
Free State Apples 101
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…
Fresh Produce Export Directory 2025
The Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF) is a voluntary, non-profit organisation with more than 160 members who must adhere to a strict Code of Conduct to ensure that only competent and reliable marketing agents, grower-exporters and other service providers are…
Fresh Quarterly Archives
Please find below PDF’s from our past Fresh Quarterly publications: False codling moth is an indigenous pest to South Africa that can damage fruit and lead to serious cost implications for our industry. For an update on its identification…
From general worker to farm manager
Text: Elise-Marie Steenkamp Almost 23 years ago Willem Booise fell in as a general agricultural worker on the farm Bergendal on the Paleisheuwel Road near Citrusdal. At the time, it was just another job. But soon, Booise realised that he…
From Helderberg to Hortgro
After 44 years in the deciduous fruit industry, Hugh Campbell retires as Hortgro Technical General Manager to begin a new career phase. He spoke to Anna Mouton. On a Sunday afternoon in 1976, a young Hugh Campbell lined up with…
From Wellington via Italy to Kromco
Maréze Smit is a great example of how Hortgro invests in human capital to ensure a better future for deciduous fruit in South Africa. But making it happen is also about being in the right place at the right time…
Fruit Export Frontrunner Passes Away
The South African fruit industry mourns the passing of Louis Kriel, one of the founders and international promoters of the South African fruit export industry. Text: Louise Brodie Louis Kriel (78), who passed away at his home in Stellenbosch on…
Fruit Industry Gears Up for a Productive Export Season
Paarl, 8 November 2024 — Transnet’s Cape Town Terminals, including both the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) and the Cape Town Multi-Purpose Terminal (CTMPT), are preparing for a successful deciduous fruit export season with a fleet boost of over 70…