Africa
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from Africa.
South African table grape industry responds to US tariff adjustments
The South African Table Grape Industry has welcomed recent US tariff reductions on agricultural products but expressed disappointment that table grapes and other key fruit exports were excluded from the exemptions
Prominent at 30: tomato innovation for a sustainable future
Dutch cooperative Growers United is this year celebrating three decades of Prominent, its tomato brand that has embraced innovation, sustainability and changing consumer demands
Spanish fresh produce imports from Morocco surge 34 per cent
Spanish imports of fresh fruits and vegetables from Morocco increased 34 per cent to 416,559 tonnes in the first eight months of 2025, with Fepex warning of unfair competitive conditions
Flash Gala turns heads in China market
Leading South African exporters say the branded apple has changed the way retailers look at apples
Fresh All Green forecasts strong Egyptian strawberry season
The grower-exporter anticipates good volumes and excellent quality, with high fruit colour and firmness
South Africa leads fresh produce branding transformation
ClemenGold International and Flash Gala are emerging as compelling case studies in how strategic branding can transform fresh produce marketing, moving beyond traditional commodity sales to build premium brand recognition in global markets
South African citrus industry welcomes US decision to remove tariffs on oranges
CGA CEO says the new exemption is “great news” and calls for an extention to include the country’s mandarin exports
Future of tomatoes in the spotlight in Malaga
Tomato experts gathered in the Spanish city of Malaga this week for Fruitnet Tomato Congress, a two-day event highlighting the big future challenges facing the category, as well as the opportunities and solutions for businesses
South African stonefruit sector optimistic for strong season
South African producers are optimistic for a strong stonefruit season on the back of increased production, favourable weather and improvements to address long-running logistical issues
Global blueberry demand rises as supply becomes more diverse
Global demand for blueberries continues to rise, with North America and Europe leading the way, according to the latest RaboResearch Blueberry Update 2025. The report highlights growing consumption alongside an increasingly diverse global supply landscape
Elifab Solutions secures global partnership with berry brand Fruitist
Sorting and grading machinery specialist Elifab Solutions has secured a global partnership with California-based berry brand Fruitist to deploy advanced blueberry sorting and packing technology across multiple countries
Insimbi Ridge facility advances South Africa’s citrus export corridor
The launch of the Insimbi Ridge cargo facility at Cato Ridge represents a major step forward for South Africa’s northern citrus export corridor, with the region producing 93.6mn cartons for export in 2025 and projections reaching 105mn cartons by 2030
Wrap calls for more countries to target food waste ahead of COP30
Just 30 countries include food loss and/or waste in their Nationally Determined Contributions, missing ‘huge opportunity’ to cut global emissions
United Exports achieves platinum environmental status for Ozblu farms
United Exports has become the first blueberry producer of its scale to achieve Leaf certification after its Southern African Ozblu farms scored platinum status in independent environmental audits
Market conditions facilitate record-breaking South African citrus season
Exceptional overseas demand for processing-grade citrus and improved logistics efficiency helped South African citrus exports surge 22 per cent to a record 203.4mn cartons in 2025, though the industry warns of challenges ahead from US tariffs
Fruitnet Tomato Congress looks to the future of tomatoes
On 11-12 November in Malaga, Spain, essential event focuses on how the fresh tomato business can cope with future challenges like climate change, labour challenges, and evolving consumer demand
Producers respond to growing demand for pomegranates
Producers of pomegranates in Egypt and Peru are expanding their cultivation areas in response to increasing demand for the superfruit in Europe, according to the Import Promotion Desk
How AI and automation are rebooting the fresh produce business
Fruit Logistica’s brand new trend report reveals how artificial intelligence is reshaping global fruit and vegetable supply chains and accelerating change across the industry
Westfalia Fruit beefs up marketing and development capability
Newly established Customer Development Team to identify new growth opportunities for customers and growers
South African table grape season starts with promising outlook
South Africa’s new table grape season shows promising early signs with favourable growing conditions across all five production regions and expectations of nearly 80mn cartons, while port improvements at Cape Town Container Terminal are set to enhance export logistics
South African export logistics sector shows major improvement
Government agencies and private sector collaboration has delivered significant operational efficiencies across South Africa’s export logistics network, with the citrus industry shipping record volumes and port facilities showing marked improvements
Sun World adds six new licensees across Egypt and Chile
Sun World International has expanded its worldwide network with six new licensees across Egypt and Chile, strengthening its ability to deliver premium grapes year-round to global markets
ClemenGold International reaffirms strategic focus after successful season
South African citrus marketer ClemenGold International has outlined its strategic approach following another successful soft citrus season, highlighting brand-led marketing successes in India and year-round supply innovations through Chinese partnerships
Maersk inaugurates Belcon Cold Store in Cape Town
Logistics giant Maersk has officially opened its new Belcon Cold Store facility in Cape Town as part of a more than US$100mn investment in South Africa’s cold chain infrastructure
South African stonefruit exports forecast to grow
South African stonefruit producers are forecasting strong growth in nectarines this season, while there will be modest increases for plums and peaches, with overall export volumes expected to rise 6 per cent compared to the previous season
Tru-Cape forecasts 5-7 per cent cherry production increase with excellent quality
South African cherry growers in Ceres are expecting a bumper season with production up 5-7 per cent and exceptional fruit quality, thanks to ideal spring weather conditions that delivered perfect rainfall and sunshine timing
South African fruit leaders welcome China stonefruit access
Stonefruit orchards in South Africa have been provisionally registered with the country’s Department of Agriculture in anticipation of gaining market access to China following the signing of a historic trade protocol
South African citrus industry says stronger partnerships are needed
The South African citrus industry has achieved a record export season with 203mn cartons shipped, significantly surpassing initial predictions and reinforcing the sector’s growth trajectory towards its 2032 Vision 260 target
DP World inaugurates $85mn Sokhna Logistics Park in Egypt
DP World has officially inaugurated the Sokhna Logistics Park in Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone, marking a major milestone in the country’s trade infrastructure development with an $85mn investment
Applications open for Fruit Logistica Innovation Award 2026
FLIA Fresh Produce and FLIA Technology participation is free of charge, so make sure you submit your application before the end of October
Tunisia finds advantage in date heritage
Dates are helping to meet rising demand for healthy sweet foods, and Tunisia’s Deglet Nour variety, sold with the branch attached, offers an extra visual appeal
Carrier Transicold sells 25,000 OptimaLine containers for fresh produce
Refrigerated transport technology company also developing wireless, real-time monitoring systems to help fresh produce exporters go further
Asia’s appeal, apple and pear trends, and Europe’s worker scandal
Episode 3 of The Fresh Ideas Show delves deep into Asia Fruit Logistica, pins down the Prognosfruit forecasts, and exposes the truth about European migrant labour
Sati and Transnova Africa win platinum logistics award
The South African Table Grape Industry and Transnova Africa have been jointly awarded a Platinum Award at the 2025 GIBS Logistics Achiever Awards for their pioneering Prescriptive Logistics Model that is reshaping fresh produce exports
Westfalia to launch commercial trials of AgroSustain’s edible coating
Westfalia said Afondo showed a reduction in post-harvest fungicide use of at least 50 per cent on trials on avocados and limes
Westfalia partners with AgriSound to boost avocado production
AgriSound’s cutting-edge technology will help growers better understand and optimise pollination activity