By Jacques du Preez Although we believe we have reached a turning point, specifically in the Port of Cape Town, regarding the logistical crisis, we foresee another challenging season from a logistical point of view. Therefore, growers, exporters, and logistical…
By Jacques du Preez 25 March 2022 We were hopeful that the situation in the Cape Town port would improve after the issues encountered over December 2021 and into January/February 2022, but despite some glimmers of hope of clearing the…
To begin with, let’s look at the term “transformation”. In the (not so) new South Africa, the word “transformation” has become a buzzword, a politically correct term, and one often misused. The Oxford Dictionary defines transformation as “a marked change…
By Jorisna Bonthuys In the Western Cape, Ceratitis capitata, commonly known as the Mediterranean fruit fly or Medfly, is one of the most economically harmful pests in orchards, causing fruit damage and posing a phytosanitary risk. Four years ago, Gulu Bekker,…
Adult education has been Lona Odendaal’s focus from early on in her life. The development of peoples’ potential and helping them to make the best of their circumstances has always been her passion. Lona is part of the Hortgro Learning…
Hortgro Science, the South African deciduous fruit industry research engine, recently held its annual Thank-You Breakfast in Stellenbosch. Prof. Wiehann Steyn, Hortgro Science General Manager, said that the event was a celebration and expression of gratitude to everyone who participated…
The Western Cape might be the country’s biggest apple-producing region, but many of the trees come from far away. Gerrit Rautenbach visited the Caledon Valley Nursery near Ficksburg in the Eastern Free State to establish why. Way back in 1989…
By Carmé Naudé Mariette Kotze, Hortgro’s Group Operational Manager, was recently appointed to the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB), as representative of the pome and stone fruit industries. Kotze who has been working in the deciduous fruit industry for…
![Tshiamo Market Gosiame[55]](https://www.hortgro.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tshiamo-Market-Gosiame55-e1714136305830-center-300x300.jpeg)
By Wilechia van der Westhuizen The market development campaign expanded during the 2023/2024 stone fruit season, running in six regions globally: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and India. Middle East and locally within South Africa. The first-year campaign…
Are South African growers missing out? By Anna Mouton Global sales of organic food increased to nearly 110 billion euros in 2019. The positive impact of COVID-19 on the demand for organic food is expected to translate into even better…
It has come to our attention that sometimes growers entrust their product to exporters without a proper agreement. Please find below a template of what such an agreement should look like. Be sure to inform and educate yourself. Marketing Agreement…
Deciduous Fruit Industry signs pledge to lead the way At the end of October, representatives from Hortgro Pome, Stone and the DFDC came together with the aim to align the industry strategy and to develop “an implementable, measurable, and future-focused…