Africa
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from Africa.
South African industry responds to Port of Cape Town’s lowly ranking
South Africa’s fresh fruit export organisations have expressed strategic concerns after Cape Town port was ranked last globally
Leading the avocado charge across Africa
South Africa remains the market leader, expecting to ship around 21mn cartons this year, while Kenya has emerged as Africa’s second-largest exporter
South Africa risks losing India apple advantage without tariff reform
India remains a key growth market for South African apples and pears, but industry leaders warn the country risks losing its competitive edge
Summer Citrus from South Africa season begins in US
Summer Citrus from South Africa launches its 2026 season with the first US arrivals expected this month
South Africa faces tough avocado season
Some wind damage has been reported in two key growing regions, but other areas are still looking at excellent crops
The Fresh Ideas Show: El Niño and Trump create waves of disruption
Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell consider the potential impact of a Super El Niño and continued geopolitical tensions
South Africa’s Flash Gala apples hit record volumes
Premium volumes surge as growers overcome challenges and expand plantings, with over 80 per cent of orchards now at maturity
Cape Town props up port league table as Sati highlights challenges
Logistics continue to be a problem for South African grape growers who use the container port in Cape Town
South Africa eyes cherry growth as industry expands
After a successful season and expansion from 185ha to 819ha over the past decade, the cherry industry is positioning itself for export growth
Eosta plans organic mango expansion in Côte d’Ivoire
Dutch organic importer-marketer is to expand organic mango production following a successful first full season with regional supplier Fruiteq
Importers urged to consider impact of checks on non-EU produce
Checks on imports from the rest of the world could raise food prices and jeopardise ‘just in time’ supply, while spreading risk across shipping lines and ports is helping suppliers take control, Festival of Fresh delegates told
Progress for South African grapes despite ongoing challenges
The country’s table grape sector showed resilience during 2025/26, achieving record inspection volumes of 81.25m cartons
Chile sets sights on North African markets
Frutas de Chile has identified Morocco as a key strategic market and gateway to other African countries
New international network brings together protected horticulture sector
Wageningen University has launched a new membership network for those working in controlled and protected horticulture to share best practice and the latest research from around the world
More heavy rain batters South Africa’s citrus producers
With growers in Eastern and Western Cape still unable to assess flood impact on farms, CGA says damage likely to increase
Maersk launches weekly service linking North Europe with Egypt
The logistics group’s Baltic Sea-SLA service links Gdansk, Bremerhaven and Genoa with Port Said and Alexandria, offering direct routing to reduce transit times and improve supply chain reliability in a corridor where EU-Egypt trade reached €32.3bn in 2025.
Soviet-era cafe shot wins World Food Photo Awards
World Food Photography Award winners highlight power of food stories and the essential role of food in communities across the world
Tru-Cape celebrates 25 years of apple and pear leadership
Leading South African apple and pear exporter Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing is celebrating its 25th anniversary
South Africa trims citrus export forecast
Citrus Growers Association revises season forecast downward across all categories as campaign progresses
Redfox and Agri Frontier join forces to fill international talent shortage
Partnership aims to tackle outpaced demand for senior positions in rapidly growing markets where agri investment has overtaken supply of senior managers
Hapag-Lloyd improves transit times for South African citrus exporters
Shipping giant relaunches dedicated service into European and North American markets for third season
Jacques du Preez to take the helm at Hortgro
One of South Africa’s leading statutory fruit industry bodies has announced the appointment of its new CEO
South Africa reflects on 2025 gains
South Africa was the world’s largest citrus exporter by volume in 2025, but celebrations are likely to be short-lived given the realities facing the sector
RSA deciduous fruit industry counts cost of storm damage
Losses to pome and stonefruit sector estimated to be as high as R6.3bn
PEI Trade closes record-breaking 2025/26 Egyptian orange export season
Cairo-based exporter sets new internal benchmarks and signals strong outlook for the 2026/27 campaign
Westfalia’s chief customer officer announces departure
Wim Destoop plans to take on board and consultancy roles in Belgium after three years with avocado and fruit supplier
South African citrus shipments to US delayed
While export volumes will probably not be affected by recent extreme weather, the bulk shipment programme will start later than planned
Damage assessment underway following Cape storms
The full scale of storm damage is emerging, with the Langkloof region facing destroyed infrastructure, stranded crops, and weeks without electricity
Oranges and chickpeas will be ‘viable UK crops’ under warming climate
Water storage, adaption to sustainable farming and increased domestic production are critical if the UK is to maintain farming viability and food security, according to government climate report
Steenhuisen pledges support in wake of Cape storms
Flooding, road inacessibilty, collapsed electricity pylons and damaged infrastructure threaten hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fruit exports
Tough winter ahead for South African stonefruit
Growers are emerging from one of their most challenging export seasons in many years
Grapefruit exports forecast to surge 16 per cent in South Africa
The country’s grapefruit sector is predicting substantial export growth this season, with shipments expected to reach 15.7mn cartons
South African floods devastate fruit crops across Cape regions
Flooding and high winds have caused widespread damage across key fruit-growing regions, with crucial access roads to ports washed away
‘Lots of demand, not enough of the right supply’ in mangoes
Lewey Hook, the technical director at SHP Tropical, gives FPJ a brief round-up of some of the key developments affecting mango supply to the UK
CGA reacts to flooding across multiple South African provinces
Citrus-growing regions hit by extreme weather as South African authorities declare a natural disaster