Hortfin, the first ring-fenced loan facility of the fruit and wine industry value chain, has appointed Michael Brinkhuis as its new Chief Executive Officer. Brinkhuis, who qualified as a horticulturist and holds a Masters degree in Agriculture from the University…
Text and Pictures: Elise-Marie Steenkamp A pioneering blended finance partnership between the UK Government, South African development financiers, industry bodies and implementing agencies is demonstrating how collaboration can unlock commercial opportunities for farmers in Mpumalanga, helping to build alternative economic…
Mariette Kotze, Hortfin’s interim manager, spoke to Smile904FM on The Honest Truth about the Hortfin project. Listen to Mariette here: Watch a short video about Hortfin here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjIi_oCi6xM Pictured above the Hortfin Board: Willem Bestbier, Rico Basson, Beverly Farmer, Sunil Kooverjee,…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Hortfin: A Financial Game-Changer Transforming the Deciduous Fruit Industry [Paarl, 10 February 2025] – Hortfin, the pioneering blended-finance scheme established to drive economic development in South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry, celebrated seven years of “meaningful impact” at…
By Elise-Marie Steenkamp The formidable duo, Buks Nel and Henk Griessel, are this year’s recipients of the coveted Hortgro 1662 Industry Award for their invaluable contribution to the South African deciduous fruit industry. The 1662 Industry Award was initiated by…
STELLENBOSCH. Joyene Isaacs, former HOD of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, became the second person last night to receive the coveted Hortgro 1662 Industry Award. Horticulturist Koos Lötter was the first recipient of the award in 2019. The 1662…
New rules on EU market packaging will take effect from 12 August 2026 and will gradually roll out through to 2040 By Nitasha Baijnath-Pillay As part of the EU-funded AGRINFO programme, COLEAD recently engaged with Hortgro and key South African…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Paarl, South Africa — 22 May 2026 HORTGRO Appoints Jacques du Preez as New Chief Executive Officer Industry veteran steps up as founding leader, Anton Rabe, retires after decades of distinguished service HORTGRO, the leading statutory body…
Dr Minette Karsten shares how she went from researching black rhinos to studying Mediterranean fruit flies and other pome- and stone-fruit pests. By Anna Mouton. Hortgro has appointed Dr Minette Karsten to manage its crop-protection programme from 1 October 2024…
The prestigious Hortgro Awards in honour of deciduous fruit industry champions was held at STIAS, Stellenbosch last night. This is the first time that Hortgro held its award function in the new format with a focus on the Pome and…
Hortgro, the deciduous fruit industry body of South Africa, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Unati Speirs as a new board director. She will be taking over the vacancy left by Dr Mono Mashaba who served the industry…
Stellenbosch, South Africa – August 20, 2024 – The South African deciduous fruit industry body, Hortgro, has spent more than R55m over the past decade on bursaries. The Hortgro Bursary Programme (HBP) aims to support and nurture the next generation…