South Africa looking forward to much improved stone fruit export season
By Jacques du Preez After a very disappointing 2021/22 season, which despite a good crop turned out to be a disaster on farm level given trade and logistical issues, stone fruit growers and exporters are looking forward to a much-improved…
South Africa Welcomes Cherry Season: Inside This Year’s Fresh, Fun & Flavour-Packed Campaign
By Wilechia van der Westhuizen Cherry season has officially begun in South Africa — bringing one of the most colourful, tastiest marketing campaigns of the year. With cherries available for only a brief period, the industry is going all out…
South Africa’s Apple and Pear Exports to China Show Countertrend Growth
Due to adverse weather events like hail and floods earlier in the year, Hortgro has revised its export forecasts for the 2023 season. The estimated export volume for apples is 40.883 million cartons (12.5 kilograms per carton), showing a 10%…
South African apple and pear industry set to bounce back in 2024
South African pome fruit producers are looking forward to exports bouncing back. This, on the back of a lower pome fruit export crop due to hail damage in some of the major fruit producing areas during 2023. The 2024 harvest…
South African apple exports to UK increase
Shipments of South African apples to the UK market have risen by 20 percent during the 2018 season, says Hortgro, the organisation representing growers in South Africa. Cumulative volumes of the fruit to the week ending July 1st, 2018, showed…
South African apple industry celebrates its 363rd birthday on April 17
The South African apple industry turns 363 on April 17. The first two Witte Wijnappels were harvested in Cape Town’s Companies Garden in 1662 – a moment that seeded an industry now exporting nearly 50 million cartons yearly. (Image: Tru-Cape…
South African Apples and Pears Shine in China with New Season Consumer Campaign
South African pome fruit is taking centre stage in China with the launch of an exciting 2025 consumer awareness campaign. Kicking off in popular retail chains Shengguo and Xianfeng, the campaign aims to boost the visibility and sales of South…
South African Apples and Pears Take Centre Stage Abroad
By Wilechia van der Westhuizen If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your fruit after it leaves the pack store, here’s a snapshot: right now, South African apples and pears are starring in marketing campaigns across China, Thailand, India, and…
South African carbon emissions in the global context
Hortgro Sustainability and Natural Resource Manager Nitasha Baijnath-Pillay compares South Africa’s carbon emissions with global contributions. There are many kinds of footprints. A knowledge footprint visualises a person’s or organisation’s expertise, used to capture and share knowledge. It connects expertise…
SOUTH AFRICAN CHERRIES ARE GOING PLACES
By Karien Bezuidenhout Although South Africa’s cherry exports are relatively small (0,1% in 2024) compared to Chile’s (49% in 2024), the industry has grown by leaps and bounds. In 2012, South Africa had 185 hectares of cherry plantings, and by…
South African Deciduous Fruit Industry Launches Centre of Excellence for Monitoring
The South African deciduous fruit industry proudly announces the launch of a Centre of Excellence dedicated to advancing pest monitoring and safeguarding the future of the industry. This new initiative, spearheaded by industry association Hortgro, addresses the increasing challenges posed…