The 1662 Award is special, and you may wonder where it originates and what 1662 refers to. On 17 April 1662, the first two apples were picked in the Company’s Garden at the Cape. They were Witte Wijn Apples. This…
Growers are positive about the crop for the 2024/2025 export season. Early indications are that overall volumes will increase compared to last year. This comes after a challenging 2023/2024 season that included extreme weather events (storms, fog, strong winds in…
Text: Lucille Botha André Kritzinger (28), owner and general manager of Tulpieskraal Boerdery in the Langkloof, has been named the Eastern Cape Young Farmer of the Year for 2025. For Kritzinger, the recognition is a significant milestone. “I’ve always looked…
By Kara van der Berg A relatively new apricot variety, Carmingo, has brought great success to farmers in the Koo Valley. Hortgro visited two of these farmers, Pierre Burger and Sam Sieberhagen, to find out more about the bicoloured apricots…
By Gerrit Rautenbach Dibesho Serage, Managing Director of Groundstone Group grew up in Lebowakgomo township of Limpopo Province where he did his primary and high school studies. His mother was a school teacher and Dad owned a small all-purpose shop…
The South African stone fruit industry is preparing for the 2025/2026 export season with optimism, thanks to favourable weather conditions during winter and blossoming, which led to good fruit set and fruit quality across most production regions. Overall export volumes…
Text: Elise-Marie Steenkamp and Pictures: Alisa Farr The first full container of South African stone fruit bound for the People’s Republic of China was dispatched last week from the Freshness First Packhouse in Franschhoek, marking a milestone for the country’s deciduous…
Deur Elise-Marie Steenkamp ‘n Pakhuis is nie ‘n hospitaal nie en elke rolspeler in die waardeketting moet alles in hul vermoë doen om probleemvrugte uit die mark te hou. Dit was die beroep van Charl Stander, Hortgro Stone verteenwoordiger en…
By Jacques du Preez Although we believe we have reached a turning point, specifically in the Port of Cape Town, regarding the logistical crisis, we foresee another challenging season from a logistical point of view. Therefore, growers, exporters, and logistical…
By Carmé Naudé Mariette Kotze, Hortgro’s Group Operational Manager, was recently appointed to the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB), as representative of the pome and stone fruit industries. Kotze who has been working in the deciduous fruit industry for…
Despite frost heavily affecting early cherry varieties, cherry growers remain positive about the overall quality of this season’s harvest and the promising opportunities available in both local and international markets. “While there may be less fruit on the trees this…
As the 2023/24 season draws to a close it is a good time to take a step back and reminisce. What was the past season like for pome and stone fruit? The total 2024 apple export volumes are projected at…