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…
Morrisons has been awarded the Stone Fruit Retailer of the Year for the 2020/21 season due to their strong category performance and support for South African produce this year. South African growers’ association Hortgro presents the award each season to…
By Elise-Marie Steenkamp If you attended one of Hortgro’s events over the past year, you walked away with a Morsbag. You might be forgiven for thinking “mors” refers to the Afrikaans word “waste”. Unfortunately, Saffas cannot claim honour for this…
In an effort to support growers and keep them informed Hortgro held a webinar addressing issues regarding the new National Minimum Wage in February this year. Please find attached a supporting document to help growers negotiate these changes. NMW: Minimum…
By Elise-Marie Steenkamp Rawsonville. – The South African economy has endured a turbulent few years marked by rolling power cuts, failing infrastructure, spiralling costs, and a volatile global backdrop. While there are glimmers of progress, both domestic and international headwinds…
As early as 2500 BC, Sumerian farmers used sulphur to control insects and mites on their crops, illustrating the long history of chemical use in agriculture. Today, the drive to do away with agrichemicals has never been stronger. Pressure groups…
Deur Elise-Marie Steenkamp Foto’s en video Carmé Naudé Vroeg in Maart vanjaar het ‘n windstorm Grabouw en omgewing bykans 24 uur laat steier. Met winde wat plek-plek tot 90 km/uur gehaal het, was swaargelaaide vrugteboorde kwesbaar. Dramatiese foto’s in die…
The United States is the second-largest global producer of apples and 70% of these apples come from Washington State. The main apple-growing areas in Washington State are semi-arid. Summers are characterised by high solar irradiation and temperatures that frequently exceed…
Hortgro has launched two new platforms to help keep industry stakeholders informed: The Quick Identification Guide for Key Phytosanitary Pests of South African Deciduous Fruit and the Postharvest/Packhouse Action Group App. Dr Shelley Johnson compiled the Phyto ID Guide several years…
New rules on EU market packaging will take effect from 12 August 2026 and will gradually roll out through to 2040 If you export fruit to the EU, please take note of the following requirements under European Union Regulation 2025/40…
Dr Ivan Meyer, Provincial Minister of Agriculture in the Western Cape, has officially announced Dr Mogale Sebopetsa as the new Head of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA). Minister Meyer: “I am looking forward to working with the newly…
In an innovative move for plant and insect diagnostics, the Plant Disease Clinic Stellenbosch (PDC) and Bluebug Insect Diagnostic Services have officially merged as of March 2025. The newly unified service will continue to operate under the name PDC Stellenbosch,…