One of South Africa’s leading statutory fruit industry bodies has announced the appointment of its new CEO
South African deciduous fruit body Hortgro has announced that its general manager, trade & markets, Jacques du Preez, will take on the position of CEO after Anton Rabe’s retirement in August.
Du Preez has more than 20 years’ expertise in South African agriculture, specialising in market access, trade policy, and market development in the deciduous fruit sector.
Rabe led the industry through several turbulent periods, including its 1997 deregulation of the industry when he helped to found the Deciduous Fruit Producers’ Trust which led to the eventual establishment of Hortgro and the incorporation of deciduous fruit industry functions under its control.
Du Preez has been at the forefront of international market-access negotiations, phytosanitary compliance, logistics, and the opening of strategic export destinations worldwide for South Africa’s deciduous producers.
Hortgro said du Preez’s appointment as CEO marks a natural progression for an executive who has already demonstrated leadership as an industry spokesperson, a trusted liaison with government departments, and an active participant in national and international forums.
Generally expected since Rabe confirmed plans to retire this year, du Preez’s appointment was perhaps the worst kept secret in the South African fruit industry. Du Preez said Hortgro’s strength lies in the trust and collaboration among growers, the government, and international partners “It will be difficult to step into Anton’s Rabe’s shoes. He is a true legend of the industry,” he says.
Du Preez is an alumnus of the University of Stellenbosch and the University of the Free State, where he completed his undergraduate studies with agricultural economics and horticulture as his primary subjects. He subsequently obtained an Honours degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of the Free State.
Hortgro’s board of directors recognised Rabe’s extraordinary contribution to the organisation and to the broader South African deciduous fruit industry. “Under his leadership, Hortgro grew into a respected and influential body, advancing the interests of fruit producers across research, market development, and industry advocacy,” the association said.
Hort6gro says Anton Rabe will support Jacques Du Preez with the transition to the new dispensation until at least mid-2027 and will continue to support industry activities at a strategic level for some time.
