Produce Pulse
Tru-Cape’s earliest-ever cherry season brings lower volumes but excellent fruit quality
Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing’s cherry season has started earlier than ever before, with the first fruit harvested and packed on 8 October – two to three weeks ahead of a typical season. However, the early start comes with a significant drop in production, with cherry volumes in the Ceres area expected to be more than 50% lower than last year.
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South Africa's unique Fynbos Floral Kingdom: A natural treasure supports a thriving flower industry
At the southern tip of Africa lies one of the world's most extraordinary botanical treasures: the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest of the world's six floral kingdoms, yet one of the richest in plant diversity. Home to thousands of species found nowhere else on Earth, this remarkable natural heritage has also provided the foundation for South Africa's distinctive indigenous cut-flower industry, which supplies proteas, pincushions and other fynbos products to local and international markets.
TopNut brings new genetics and international opportunities to Africa's expanding nut industry
The rapid expansion of tree nut production in South Africa and neighbouring African countries is creating growing demand for improved varieties offering higher yields, better quality and greater profitability. Established in 2022 through a partnership between South African fruit variety specialist TopFruit and macadamia business Agristar, TopNut is helping to introduce and commercialise improved nut genetics across Africa, supporting the development of an increasingly competitive industry.
South Africa's tree nut industry expands into new crops and production regions
South Africa's tree nut industry has undergone significant expansion over the past decade, establishing the country as a leading international producer of macadamias and a rapidly growing supplier of pecans. With substantial investment in new orchards, processing infrastructure and improved production methods, the sector is now exploring opportunities to diversify into additional high-value nut crops, including walnuts, almonds and pistachios.
New mango varieties could transform South Africa's fresh export industry
South Africa's mango industry, traditionally a relatively small sector focused largely on domestic consumption and fruit processing, is entering an exciting new phase. Access to a new generation of superior mango varieties, supported by international breeding and commercialisation expertise, could provide the breakthrough needed to expand the country's fresh mango exports.
Citrus industry welcomes Ramaphosa's recognition of transformation, but calls for stronger support for emerging growers
Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) CEO Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's recognition of the industry's contribution to agricultural transformation, but stressed that greater coordination between government institutions, improved access to affordable finance and faster land reform implementation are essential if emerging growers are to become sustainable commercial farmers.
Botswana citrus expansion could supply proposed new regional processing market
According to Botswana’s Investment and Trade Centre, the country's citrus industry is positioning for another significant growth phase, with Selebi-Phikwe Citrus planning a major orchard expansion near Dikgatlhong Dam and potentially supplying a proposed Schweppes agro-processing facility.
CGA cuts 2026 citrus export estimate as weather, conflict and logistics hit volumes
South Africa’s citrus export estimate for 2026 has been cut to 197.9 million 15kg cartons as floods, Middle East trade disruption and logistics constraints weigh on the season.
Lower Orange River downgrade raises concern for Northern Cape irrigation growers
Northern Cape irrigation farmers are concerned that plans to classify the Lower Orange River as a Class III water resource could coincide with lower flows and worsening water quality, placing additional pressure on one of South Africa’s most important irrigated production regions. The lower Orange River region is South Africa's second biggest table grape production region.
Meet tiqi™: the bold new table grape brand
A distinctive new table grape brand is entering the international market with an offering designed to stand out in both flavour and presentation. tiqi™ brings consumers red, seedless grapes that are sweet, juicy and crunchy.
SATI's first 2026/27 table grape estimate: 78.4 million cartons and a season up to two weeks early
The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) has put its preliminary 2026/2027 export crop at 78.4 million 4.5 kg-equivalent cartons. That is below last season's 81.3 million but in line with the five-year average. SATI's chairperson says warmer weather could bring the season forward by 10 to 14 days.
Tru-Cape reports strong Pink Lady growth in UK and European markets
South African Pink Lady apple exports continue to strengthen in Europe, with Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing reporting sharp growth in shipments since 2020 and more than 16% growth in UK retail volumes this season. The performance highlights the importance of branded cultivars and reliable counter-seasonal supply for South African apple exporters competing in mature northern hemisphere markets.
South Africa is well established as a leading Southern Hemisphere Pink Lady® apple producer
South Africa has firmly established itself as a frontrunner producer of Pink Lady® apples in the Southern Hemisphere. With an annual output of approximately 5 million cartons, the country is a major player from the Southern Hemisphere, competing with Chile, New Zealand, and Australia for Northern Hemisphere markets. This achievement is the result of strategic […]
Cosmic Crisp enters South African retail sector as Checkers secures the excluse rights to this club variety
South Africa’s first commercial crop of Cosmic Crisp apples has reached the local market, introducing another internationally licensed club variety into the country’s deciduous-fruit sector.
South African blueberry industry enters 2026 season with stronger northern crop and improving export prospects
South Africa’s blueberry industry is entering the 2026 harvest with improving export prospects, strong early production in northern regions and a growing focus on positioning fruit in the right market window rather than simply expanding volumes.
Checkers and BerryWorld turn blueberry sales into support for breast-health screening
Checkers, BerryWorld and Discovery Vitality have launched Booberries for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with the specially branded blueberry cups available exclusively at Checkers stores nationwide during October while stocks last.
New blueberry genetics face Southern Africa’s toughest test: local conditions and market fit
Southern African blueberry growers are being encouraged to look beyond headline yield when selecting new cultivars, as breeders test genetics across the region’s highly varied climates and export requirements continue to shift.
South African avocado exports increase, but international market pressure limits grower returns
South Africa's avocado industry has recorded a substantial increase in export volumes during the 2026 season, with shipments reaching approximately 21 million 4 kg cartons, nearly 16% more than the previous year.
New markets offer limited short-term relief for South Africa’s growing avocado crop.
South Africa’s avocado industry is producing more fruit, but the bigger challenge is now finding profitable markets for it.
South Africa’s Kiwifruit Industry: A Sweet Surge of Innovation and Opportunity
South Africa’s kiwifruit industry remains small by global standards, but rapid expansion, improved varieties and a valuable early-season marketing window are positioning the country as an emerging premium supplier. New yellow- and red-fleshed cultivars are proving particularly well suited to South African conditions and are driving renewed investment in the crop.
Fuel price surge puts pressure on South African vegetable prices and grower returns
South Africa's sharp fuel price increases in October are placing additional pressure on vegetable producers and consumers, raising the cost of growing and transporting fresh produce at a time when domestic vegetable markets are already experiencing considerable price volatility.
Potato prices weaken while onions hold firm despite higher market volumes
South Africa’s potato and onion markets have moved in sharply different directions this season, showing that higher volumes do not necessarily translate into stronger grower returns.
Tomato and potato prices climb as supply tightens on SA fresh produce markets
South African fresh produce markets recorded sharp price movements this week as seasonal supply changes, weather disruptions and stronger month-end demand affected several major commodities.
Citrus industry urges improved port planning ahead of 2027 export season
Following a difficult year of operational disruptions at South Africa's ports, the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has called for improved planning and coordination ahead of the 2027 export season, warning that the benefits of ongoing port and rail reforms will take time to materialise.
Congestion at Durban Gateway Terminal severely constrained South African citrus exporters during the past season
During the height of the recent citrus season severe congestion at Durban Gateway Terminal added to an already challenging export season for South Africa's citrus industry, with extended truck queues, vessel delays and disruptions to refrigerated container handling threatening fruit quality and increasing costs throughout the supply chain.
High hopes meet a challenging reality at Durban's container terminal
The appointment of international terminal operator ICTSI to manage the Durban Gateway Terminal was hailed as a major step towards improving the country's logistics performance. However, the first year of the much-anticipated partnership with Transnet has proved challenging, with serious operational disruptions raising concerns about how quickly the expected improvements will materialise.
Proposed EU pesticide restrictions raise concerns for South African fruit exporters
Proposed changes to European Union pesticide residue regulations could have far-reaching consequences for South African fresh produce growers, potentially restricting the crop protection products available to exporters and threatening access to one of the country's most important international markets.
Government increases El Niño contingency reserve to R10 billion as fruit growers face uncertain season
South Africa's government has doubled its contingency reserve to R10 billion to prepare for the potential economic impact of the developing El Niño, as concerns grow about the effects of hotter, drier weather on agricultural production during the 2026/27 summer season.
South Africa advances fruit export negotiations with the Philippines
South Africa is making further progress in its efforts to expand fresh fruit exports to the Philippines, with recent bilateral discussions focusing on opening the market for South African apples and pears and reviewing existing phytosanitary conditions for citrus exports.
Working together to protect South Africa's fruit exports: Three decades of collective pest control
For nearly three decades, South Africa's fruit industries have been working together to combat some of the most serious pests threatening their international market access. Through coordinated, area-wide pest management programmes using the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), growers, industry bodies, research institutions and government have developed an approach that demonstrates the value of collective action in protecting the country's fruit export sector.
FPEF calls for industry input into next phase of Post-Harvest Innovation Programme
The Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF) has invited interested industry associations within South Africa’s fresh horticultural export sector to participate in the next phase of the Post-Harvest Innovation (PHI) Programme, opening the way for industry to help identify research priorities that could influence the future competitiveness of the country’s fresh produce exports.
Packaging becomes a bigger part of export risk management for SA fruit growers
Packaging is becoming increasingly important to South African fruit exporters as port congestion, longer logistics routes and changing market requirements place more pressure on fruit quality.
Regenerative agriculture takes root in South Africa's export fruit industry
Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum across South Africa's commercial fruit industry as growers increasingly recognise that healthier soils, improved water management and greater biodiversity are fundamental to sustainable production.
Hortgro interns explore the opportunities behind South Africa's deciduous fruit industry
Thirty-five young agricultural interns recently gained valuable insight into the research, technology and business opportunities supporting South Africa's deciduous fruit industry during a special educational tour organised through Hortgro's Mentor and Internship Programme.
Patensie celebrates another Agri's Got Talent winner as agricultural workers take centre stage
The agri's got talent initiative, which began as an initiative within the deciduous fruit and wine industries has grown into a collaborative social upliftment programme supported by several of South Africa's leading agricultural organisations.