Fred Meintjes
Fred Meintjes is Market Intelligence's southern African correspondent, reporting regularly from Cape Town on developments in the region's fresh produce sector for Americafruit, Asiafruit, Eurofruit and the Fresh Produce Journal.
An expert commentator on the international fresh produce business, Fred previously worked as group manager of corporate affairs at Capespan, which at the time was South Africa's single-desk exporter for all fruit shipments out of the country.
Contact info
- Tel:
- +27 21 712 8817
- Email:
- fredmeintjies@fruitnet.com
NewsComplete Southern African citrus forecast confirmed
The CGA has published its first complete forecast of the 2025 season after the mandarin estimate was confirmed
NewsTender dispute at Durban Container Terminal nears resolution
D-day for Durban container port battle has finally arrived with the contesting parties back in port
NewsSouthern African grape growers weigh up new cultivar options
Winter marks a period of introspection for South African table grape producers, with big decisons to be made
NewsSouth Africa’s honey bees are under threat
Healthy bee populations are key to agriculture in South Africa, with 50 different crops relying on pollination for their success
NewsChanging export markets is easier said than done
South African fresh produce exporters who market their fruit in the US say it is not merely a case of shifting produce from one market to another to deal with looming US tariffs
NewsSouth Africa-India trade agreement hopes raised
A South African delegation has returned from a visit after positive talks on a new trade deal with Indian authorities
NewsApple celebration days in the Cape
South Africa’s apple sector marks the start of the industry more than 360 years ago
NewsCounter-seasonal supply brings Sweet C closer to year-round shelf presence
Innovative marketing has been a hallmark of the South African mandarin brand, which is now supported by counter-seasonal supply
NewsSouthern African grape season ends on a high
The Southern Hemisphere table grape season has been described as “the most pleasant in years”
NewsSouth African grape exports “at risk” of Trump tariffs
The industry is “deeply concerned” over the impact of the new US tariffs
NewsAnton Rabe elected as Fruit South Africa chair
The organisation has made numerous changes to its board of directors
NewsUS tariffs on South African citrus set to hurt growers as season starts
Growers and rural communities set to feel the effects of 30 per cent tariffs as well as South Africa’s other key markets
NewsThailand gets a taste of South African apples
The arrival of the first consignment of South African apples in Thailand following a 16-year absence, has been celebrated at the Talaad Thai Market
NewsSouth Africa adopts cautious approach to tariffs
Citrus sources say they are assessing the tariff announcements by US president Donald Trump
NewsSouth Africa tries to make sense of US tariffs
There is confusion in South Africa as the fresh produce industry takes in Donald Trump’s tariff announcement
NewsEnd of an era for South African citrus leader Justin Chadwick
Justin Chadwick, who is retiring as chief executive of the South African Citrus Growers’ Association, speaks exclusively to Fruitnet about three decades of service
NewsExport challenges mount as Cape Town port struggles continue
Old problems return to the city’s container terminal and are severely disrupting export operations
NewsFirst lemons of the South African season arrive in India
South African delegation will look to boost exports at next week’s Fresh Produce India
NewsSouth African apples return to Thailand after 16-year absence
The country’s apple exporters have said they are delighted to be back in Thailand, with the first fruit set to be unveiled this week
NewsSassy apples hit South African shelves
New Zealand-developed variety is lighting up South African stores as consumers are introduced to the apple’s ‘new zing’