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 Fruit Marketing)

 

Compiled by Lucille Botha and Elise-Marie Steenkamp

On April 17 1662, 363 years ago, the seeds for one of South Africa’s most significant agricultural industries were sown when the governor of the United East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie/VOC) picked the first two apples in the Company Gardens at the then Cape of Good Hope.

The following journal entry was made: “Heavy drizzle in the morning and a strong north-westerly wind blowing in from the sea. Today, the first two ripe Dutch apples were picked in the Company’s nursery garden… This type of apple is known as a Wijnappel.”

This moment marked the birth of the South African apple industry, now a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural economy. Each year on April 17, the South African apple industry commemorates this milestone, honouring the roots of an industry that feeds the world and sustains thousands of local livelihoods.

From two apples to a global industry

Those first apples, Witte Wijnappels picked from a tree just 1.5 metres tall, may have seemed modest, but they started something extraordinary. Today, South Africa is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s top apple exporters, with apples grown in regions such as the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo.

Anton Rabe, Hortgro Executive Director, says the modern and globally competitive South African apple industry proudly celebrates its humble beginning with this anniversary. “363 years after the first apples were harvested on 17 April 1662, the South African apple industry is still growing and going strong and has now taken the number one spot as the leading Southern Hemisphere apple producer. Something we are very proud of.”

According to Mariette Kotze, Hortgro Information Manager, the South African apple industry produces 1.47 million tons annually. If you packed these apples in a row, they would travel 4.26 times around the Earth!

In 2019, Hortgro created the prestigious 1662 Industry Award to celebrate the auspicious date in recognition of the humble beginnings of the deciduous fruit industry on the southern tip of Africa. Read more here: [https://events.hortgro.co.za/1662-industry-award/].

Also in 2019, a partnership between Hortgro, Tru-Cape, and the Cape Heritage Fund saw a piece of history returned to the Company’s Garden by planting a Witte Wijnappel tree in the Company’s Garden in Cape Town. [Read more here: https://www.hortgro.co.za/news/wittewijn-apple-back-in-companys-gardens/]

In August 2019, another Witte Wijnappel tree was planted at Babylonstoren near Franschhoek and in the Tru-Cape Heritage Orchard at Oak Valley Estate in Grabouw.

According to Henk Griessel, Tru-Cape’s Quality Assurance Manager and co-author of Early Apples at The Cape, April 17, 1662, is a date every South African apple grower should remember.

“It’s where our story began. Tru-Cape’s continued preservation of older varieties in our Heritage Orchard at Oak Valley Estate in Grabouw shows our commitment to honouring the past while preparing for the future.”

Tru-Cape is at the forefront of this dynamic sector as the single largest marketer of apples and pears from Ceres Fruit Growers and Two-A-Day Group. Its grower base represents over 20% of the country’s apple exports and supplies 105 markets.

A modern industry: Opportunities and challenges

South Africa’s apple industry remains a vital economic driver, supporting thousands of jobs, generating export revenue, and contributing significantly to food security. The country’s apples are enjoyed across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, America, Canada and Mexico, with new market access to countries like Thailand promising even more significant expansion.

Yet the industry also faces serious challenges. Climate change is reshaping growing conditions, prompting a wave of innovation in varietal development, irrigation, and crop protection. Logistical bottlenecks continue to test growers and exporters, including port inefficiencies and transport constraints. Rising input costs and regulatory changes (such as the EU’s Green Deal) demand more innovative, sustainable farming practices.

Despite this, the South African apple industry is evolving rapidly, embracing technology, data-driven farming, and international collaboration to secure its future.

Honouring the past, growing the future

As the South African apple industry celebrates the 363rd anniversary of that first apple harvest, it’s clear that this is more than just a birthday—it’s a reminder of how far the industry has come and how much promise lies ahead. “From two apples to nearly 50 million cartons exported each year, the story of South African apples is one of resilience, innovation, and growth,” says Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape. “We’re proud to carry that legacy forward, one apple at a time.”

Celebrate with us!

On April 17, we invite all South Africans to bite into a fresh, locally grown apple and reflect on over three centuries of dedication, growth, and innovation in our apple industry. Whether you like green, red or blush varieties, let’s crunch into an apple and celebrate every grower, picker, packer, and partner who made this legacy possible.

Join the celebration online by congratulating the industry on social media. Remember to tag @Hortgro and @TruCape in your posts. Use the hashtag #AppleDaySA or #HappyBirthdaySAAppleIndustry, #GrowYourFruitIQ

Captions:

Main picture: Hortgro Pome Chairman, Nicholas Dicey (middle), with Tru-Cape’s Buks Nel (left) and Henk Griessel at the planting of the Witte Wijnappel at Babylonstoren in August 2019.