By Jacques du Preez A second black swan event in two years and the impact thereof was completely unforeseen, dramatic, and severe. The industry was faced with fruit in transit prior to the war starting as well as further shipments…
9 November 2021: As the flowering, fruit set, and thinning process on stone fruit progress a clearer picture is starting to form for the 2021/22 South African stone fruit season. The plum estimate for fruit packed for the export market has…
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 Jacques du Preez After an unexpected, but welcome, increase in stone fruit production during the previous season, especially the plum industry is anticipating export volumes that are in line with the 2021/22 season. Normality has returned after the drought…
Press release: September 2021 South African plum growers are on the doorstep of a make-or-break season that will determine its future and sustainability. According to Hortgro’s Markets and Trade Manager, Jacques du Preez, plum growers faced many challenges over the…
By Elise-Marie Steenkamp Just as the logistical chain was recovering after the unrest mayhem, Transnet was hit by a cyberattack that brought the major South African ports in Cape Town, Gqeberha, and Durban to a virtual standstill. Transnet declared a…
Despite Covid-19 and a few tough drought years, the deciduous fruit industry has been blessed with exceptional harvests in every fruit category managed by Hortgro, after “near-perfect growing conditions”. Hortgro expects a record apple and pear harvest this season, despite…
The current pome fruit season is well underway after a later start, says Jacques du Preez, Hortgro General Manager: Trade & Markets. “The season so far is 7 – 10 days later than normal. This can be attributed to a…
All stops are being pulled out, to make logistics of fruit exports run as smoothly as possible, this season. Jacques du Preez, Hortgro’s General Manager: Trade and Markets, said that weekly meetings between Transnet and the various port stakeholders (the…
The pome fruit harvest is under way with positive expectations for 2021. Last year saw a much better winter with enough rain in the majority of the production areas. Cooler weather during spring and the flowering period has resulted in…
By Jacques du Preez “Africa is not for sissies” is a term often used that undoubtedly describes Africa’s unique challenges – from the varying climates, logistics to doing business navigating the unfortunate “political challenges” prevalent in many countries. And of…
“Industry high standards, agility, and resilience made quick adaptions possible.” During Week 25 of the current pome fruit season, there was a marked increase in apple exports. This in contrast to previous weeks where the impact of Covid-19 played havoc…