Tru-Cape member Ceres Fruit Growers received the BRCGS Certificated Site of the Year 2026 award in London
Ceres Fruit Growers (CFG), one of South Africa’s leading apple and pear packhouses and part of the Tru-Cape Marketing Group, has been named Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS) Certificated Site of the Year 2026.
The award was presented in London and recognises exceptional commitment to food safety, quality management, and supply chain integrity.
Tru-Cape said the award represents more than an industry accolade – it demonstrates independent assurance that the apples and pears stocked by retailers and purchased by consumers meet some of the most stringent global food safety standards.
BRCGS certification is regarded worldwide as a benchmark for product safety, legality, authenticity, and quality.
Being named Certificated Site of the Year signifies ”consistent excellence” in maintaining these standards, demonstrating a ”deeply embedded food safety culture”, and using certification to strengthen operations, it outlined.
Francois Malan, managing director of Ceres Fruit Growers, said the group is honoured to be recognised as BRCGS Certificated Site of the Year for 2026.
“Winning this award confirms the mutual trust we share with our clients and shareholders,” he noted.
”We believe that challenging ourselves through continuous improvement and teamwork is a proven recipe for success, embodying our slogan, ‘Leading the way.’
”A commitment to a strong food safety and quality culture is an integral part of our DNA,” Malan confirmed.
Joe Hanekom, senior manager of production at Ceres Fruit Growers, emphasised the direct benefit to customers.
“This award is particularly meaningful because it followed nomination by the industry,” he said.
”Over the past five years, we have achieved consecutive AA gradings in unannounced annual audits, with fewer than five deviations each time.
”That consistency demonstrates that our systems are not only in place, but are working effectively at all times,” Hanekom continued.
“Our food safety and quality culture is something our staff actively live by.
”From management to the different departmental teams, everyone understands their role in protecting the integrity of our product,” he said.
For retailers and consumers, this means confidence that the apples and pears reaching their shelves have been handled according to rigorous international standards, the group pointed out.
“As the global marketer of Ceres Fruit Growers’ apples and pears, Tru-Cape highlights the importance of the award in strengthening retailer partnerships and consumer confidence,” Tru-Cape stated.
Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape, said retailers operate in an environment where traceability, food safety and consistency are non-negotiable.
“This award provides independent verification that the fruit we market worldwide is supported by robust systems and a deeply embedded quality culture,” he said.
”For consumers, it means peace of mind. For retailers, it means reduced risk and a reliable supply partner.
”For Tru-Cape, it reinforces the trust that underpins our relationships across global markets,” Pienaar added.
