Our Members

Pome fruits are members of the plant family Rosaceae, sub-family pomoideae. They are fruits that have a core of several small seeds, surrounded by a tough membrane. The membrane is, in turn, encased in an edible layer of flesh. Apples and pears are the best-known examples of pome fruit; others that are found in South Africa include loquats and quinces.

The history of pome fruit in South Africa dates back to the early 17th century when the world’s first multinational company, the VOC (Dutch United East India Company), decided to start a halfway station at the Cape of Good Hope. The sole purpose of this settlement was to supply ships with fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit to combat the effects of scurvy that decimated unfortunate sailors on their long voyages.

It was here in the shadow of Table Mountain where the Governor planted the first apple seeds and where the South African history of fruit production began.

Hortgro Pome, previously known as the South African Apple and Pear Producers’ Association (SAAPPA), was established in the early 1970’s to promote and protect the interests of the apple growers, and later also those of the pear growers of South Africa.

The main goal of the pome fruit industry is to supply the preferred choice products in any market. To this end, it is essential that all role players in the industry should have a mutual vision and passion to attain this.

The Association is an NPC, which is administered by a board of directors representing the main pome fruit production regions in the SA. Hortgro Pome resorts under the structure of HORTGRO, the umbrella industry service organisation.

The Association serves its members in many ways by providing support and stimulus to assist producers to set sustainable production and marketing goals and maximise marketing potential and income. It facilitates, amongst others, the following activities: