Despite Middle East conflict, supply chain disruption and rising costs, South Africa’s apple and pear industry is optimistic about the future
Despite global challenges, South Africa’s apple and pear sector is entering an exciting new chapter, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a new generation of growers.
That is the view of Hortgro pomefruit chairman and Tru-Cape procurement director Calla du Toit.
“I firmly believe that for South Africa, the best is yet to come,” he said. “We are going through a phase where we need to resolve several issues, but the foundations of our industry are strong, and the opportunities ahead are significant.”
Du Toit said the country’s apple and pear sector has built a reputation as a reliable supplier to global markets, supported by disciplined production systems and long-standing partnerships with international retailers.
During an upbeat look to the future that comes despite the impact of the Middle East War, the disruption of supply lines and the prospects of rising cost through fuel price and export cost increases, he outlined that the industry’s ability to meet strict supply requirements has strengthened its competitiveness.
In a podcast with Lucentlands, Du Toit noted that when one works with large supermarket programmes, the supply chain must function perfectly.
“Once fruit is packed with a sell-by date, every hour matters,” he explained. ”That level of discipline has helped shape the professionalism of our industry.”
Over time, this discipline has also fostered deeper collaboration between growers and exporters.
“Ten or 15 years ago, many growers wanted to operate completely independently,” he continued. “Today, there is far more cooperation and information sharing.
”Growers partner with one another and with commercial companies to remain competitive and negotiate better with global retailers.”
Du Toit believes one of the industry’s greatest strengths is the influx of young talent.
“There has been an enormous amount of varietal development, and we have a lot of young, capable people bringing fresh energy to the sector,” he confirmed.
Many are sons and daughters returning to family farms, while others are building successful agricultural careers without owning land.
“In the Western Cape especially, there are great examples of people making a success of farming through partnerships and collaboration,” Du Toit said. “That kind of entrepreneurial thinking is very encouraging.”
The new generation is also globally connected, he said.
“They travel the world, they see what other growers are doing, and they communicate constantly.
”That openness helps us stay competitive and learn from the best orchards internationally,” Du Toit added.
