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…
By Kara van der Berg Education is a basic human right enshrined in the South African constitution. However, children of farmworkers often struggle to access schools, owing to a range of factors, including the distance of farms from schools, the…
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…
The First International Symposium on Plant Propagation, Nursery Organisation and Management for the production of Certified Fruit Trees was held in Locorotondo (Bari) Italy. This ISHS (International Society for Horticultural Science) was attended by Hugh Campbell in his capacity as…
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…
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…