Africa
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from Africa.
South African eyes are focused on Washington
Uncertainty remains as South African citrus growers gear up for conventional shipments to the US
UK and EU agree major agri-food deal
Removal of checks on fresh produce and plant health certificates among the detail now released under new ‘sanitary and phytosanitary zone’ and major realignment of food safety standards
New Marshal Papworth student cohort arrives at Harper Adams
Students from six different African countries will take part in the 10-week sustainable agriculture course at Harper Adams as vice chancellor notes benefit of bringing people together
Karakuta avocado facility aims for top quality from Kenya
The Kenyan avocado specialist’s new facility aims to address the main issue hindering the country’s success on global markets: achieving a consistently high quality export
Lengthy list of challenges for Anton Rabe
The long-serving executive director of Hortgro has taken over as chairperson at Fruit South Africa
Brand building pays off big for Flash Gala
Leading South African apple and pear growers and marketers say they are pleased with the progress of Flash Gala as it passes milestone
Flash Gala exports surpass 1mn cartons
South African apple brand celebrates milestone as demand grows in eastern markets
Sun World debuts Ruby Rush as it ushers in early grape season
The early-season red seedless grape is “proving its value to growers” and is now cultivated in ten countries, with production expanding
Climate change will decimate banana production in Latin America and Caribbean, says report
Christian Aid report suggests almost two-thirds of areas’ banana regions will no longer be able to support the fruit’s production
South African citrus executive lifts the veil on tariff issues
South African government and growers can come together to overcome imminent challenges, says the CGA’s Boitshoko Ntshabele
Avocado Africa 2025 set for Nairobi
The fifth International Africa Avocado Congress takes place in the Kenyan capital on 27-30 May, with a focus on how to boost the competitiveness of African growers
Major new Essex glasshouse ‘will replace tomato imports’
A 40-hectare low carbon series of glasshouses in Essex is out for consultation as developers say it will provide climate resilient tomato production and replace imports from Holland, Morocco and Spain
New variety boosts South Africa’s early season blueberry business
Blueberry growers in South Africa and Zimbabwe have started harvesting the 2025 crop, with good demand locally and overseas
Morocco announces new subsidy plan for citrus exports to Europe
Five-year plan aims to boost the competitiveness of citrus industry
Autumncrisp gains ground in Southern Africa
It has been another year of progress for the Autumncrisp grape variety in South Africa
First South African avocado containers arrive in China
Early shipments of South African avocados land in Shanghai, marking the first arrivals of the season
Ifad launches first-ever project to help Libyan farmers combat water scarcity
The US$9.2mn investment project will help 57,000 smallholder farmers and pastoralist households in chronically dry areas
USAID cuts a “threat” to small farmers in developing world
The consequences of the termination of USAID-funded technical assistance programmes are hard to predict for the global fruit and vegetables business, but small producers are likely to be the first to feel an impact
Comment: Who profits from proprietary produce?
Horticultural IP lawyer Darron Saltzman argues there could be a fairer way to structure variety licensing agreements
Citrus helps drive record DP World Sokhna Q1 throughput
Egyptian container terminal handled 285,000 TEUs in the first quarter, 26 per cent above target, as citrus exports and refrigerated cargo volumes rose
Complete Southern African citrus forecast confirmed
The CGA has published its first complete forecast of the 2025 season after the mandarin estimate was confirmed
Food security starts at home
The UK’s dependence on the Mediterranean leaves it vulnerable to the impact of increasingly frequent weather extremes to hit the region, including the devastating floods in southern Spain
Tender dispute at Durban Container Terminal nears resolution
D-day for Durban container port battle has finally arrived with the contesting parties back in port
Southern 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
Comment: Fruitist is on the verge of something berry big
A predicted IPO might be seen as a high-stakes bet on the future of fresh berries, but there is also plenty to be gained
Is ozone the future of sustainable water treatment?
In the face of growing concerns over water scarcity, Camilla Khrulova, CEO of Sweden’s JC Environment, sees ozone as the environmentally responsible solution to water treatment in the fresh produce sector
Dorì kiwifruit reveals brand refresh and social media launch
Yellow-fleshed fruit will be promoted on range of social media channels as production and demand continues to grow
SanLucar and VFB Stuttgart make RSA dreams come true
Football legends Cacau and David Kannemeyer attend opening of new sports ground and training programme
South 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
Analysis: Range of fruit drives South Africa’s export growth
Wayne Prowse explains how the country’s commitment to certain categories makes it a key counter-seasonal supplier
Kissabel apples progress towards commercial volumes in Southern Hemisphere
Sales have commenced in Australia while production in Argentina and Chile is in the early stages and New Zealand and South Africa are testing new varieties
Orange River rainfall dampens South African raisin forecast
Forecasts have been revised downwards with Raisins SA now expecting a marketable yield of 84,360 tonnes
Changing 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
Jingold expands yellow kiwifruit production in Greece
Company targets 40 per cent growth in overall volume from Europe, as retail interest in its range of varieties grows
South 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
Apple celebration days in the Cape
South Africa’s apple sector marks the start of the industry more than 360 years ago