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…
Focus on women in agriculture: The Chief Director of Research & Technology Development at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture shares her story on how she landed her dream job. By Carmé Naudé Dr Ilse Trautmann was raised in the…
It is said that the fruit of the spirit is kindness. Klaus Booysen is a man that reflects nothing but kindness. That’s why, no matter what life dished out to him, he has always been able to walk the walk…
By Kyra-Kay Rensburg Lona Odendaal has managed to secure 27 internships within the fruit industry, and more than half have gone on to complete graduate programmes and secure work within the industry. What is Odendaal’s recipe for success? She is…
Mishkaat Anderson has been appointed as the new General Manager at Culdevco Pty Ltd in Stellenbosch. Anderson follows in the footsteps of Dr Leon von Mollendorff who was at the helm of the marketing and licencing company for the South…
Human trafficking, bonded and forced labour, are not unknown in South Africa and often involve labour migrating from other SADEC (Southern African Development Community) countries. In the agricultural sector, however, conditions and good legislation make it very difficult to exploit…