Africa
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from Africa.
Lunar New Year edition of Asiafruit out now
Lunar New Year preview, Australia export focus and a keynote interview with Rockit Global CEO Grant McBeath headline this issue
Cape Town port delays disrupt South African grape exports
South Africa’s grape export season faces challenges from severe port delays and growing competition from Peru and Chile
Moroccan avocado exporters seize on new opportunity in Canada
Fall in Mexican supply created a window for Moroccan fruit at the beginning of this year
South African mandarin production soars in landmark season
The CGA said a final volume of 53.5mn cartons represented a 19 per cent increase on initial estimates of 44.9mn cartons
Eosta launches new-season organic South African table grapes
The 2025/26 season includes several new varieties with better sizing, shelf-life and overall quality, as demand for organic grapes continues to grow
Bella Fruitiva sees UK lychee potential
Despite climatic challenges facing the island of Mauritius, exporter Bella Fruitiva continues to see good opportunities for its exotics, including breadfruit and fresh lychees
South African citrus industry is on the path to true sustainability
Albert Coetzee explores how the sector is navigating the transition from compliance-focused audits to meaningful sustainability partnerships
Analysis: Seeded grapes ‘almost completely disappearing’
Dutch industry organisation GroentenFruit Huis says imports into the Netherlands have grown by 40 per cent in past decade
Maersk appoints Robert Erni as new chief financial officer
The logistics group has also announced a series of regional leadership appointments as part of a broader restructure
Transnet and ICTSI sign 25-year Durban Container Terminal partnership
The partnership agreement will see ICTSI operate the terminal while Transnet retains majority shareholding
Fepex slams EU trade deal with Morocco
It claims allowing produce from Western Sahara to benefit from tariff advantages will further harm EU producers
OSY Group expands antimicrobial tech to South Africa
Five-year deal with Mpact Operations will see shelf-life extension packaging used for grapes, stonefruit and berries
Kiwi Passion unveils new yellow kiwifruit
Consortium says addition of ‘robust’ variety makes it the only group that can produce kiwifruit at scale in both northern and southern Europe
Video: How will AI shape the future of fresh produce?
AI is transforming how fruit and vegetables are bred, grown, distributed and marketed. But where will the technology have the greatest potential impact?
Alhambra Estate wins top award at Ceres harvest ceremony
Witzenberg Properties estate secures trophy following 2025 season that saw outstanding colour development and record Forelle pear volumes
South African lemon exports surge to 41.5mn cartons
The industry overcame challenging weather conditions to deliver volumes 26 per cent higher than initial estimates
Kakuzi up for multiple avocado awards in Kenya
Producer says nominations at Kenya Avocado Excellence Awards reinforce position as ‘diversified and vertically integrated business’
Tributes paid to Alastair Moodie
Industry veterans Dr Paul Clüver and Anton Rabe look back at his lasting impact on South African fruit exports
South African fruit industry leader Alastair Moodie passes away
Moodie, who transformed family fruit business into one of South Africa’s leading suppliers, and played a key role in guiding industry through deregulation, has died after short illness
First DP World Atlas service arrives in UK from Morocco
DP World’s first Atlas service connecting Morocco to London Gateway has arrived in the UK, promising to transform fresh produce logistics with faster delivery, lower costs and up to 70 per cent reduction in carbon emissions
South African macadamia industry warns of China dependency risks
Industry leaders warn that China’s growing self-sufficiency in production and processing could threaten South Africa’s export dominance
Fledgling South African cherry business dreams big
Industry targets large export deal this season as it continues to pursue China market access
Cape Town winds force fruit exporters to divert containers
Fruit exporters scramble to use alternative ports as Cape Doctor hampers early grape and stonefruit shipments
Strong start for South African table grapes
Table grape industry targets close to 80mn export cartons this season despite US tariff challenge and increased competition in Europe
DP World launches Atlas service from Morocco to Europe
New dedicated sea route will transport up to 150,000 tonnes of fresh produce annually from Morocco to terminals in UK and Europe
Maersk encouraged by Gaza peace process
The shipping giant has announced plans to resume shipping routes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal “as soon as conditions allow”
WCO forecasts slight increase in Northern Hemisphere citrus production
Egypt bucks trend with double-digit growth as output in most major producing countries contracts
European producers oppose EU-Morocco trade agreement revision
European fruit and vegetable producer organisations have strongly opposed the European Commission’s proposed revision of the EU–Morocco Association Agreement, warning it threatens to undermine producers and mislead consumers through inadequate origin labelling of Western Sahara products
CGA chief executive pays tribute to Deon Joubert
Boitshoko Ntshabele praises late colleague’s “immense expertise” and ”profound impact” on South Africa’s fruit business
Tropical Blue sets early pace in Spain and Morocco
New blueberry variety could be the earliest-producing blueberry in these countries, says GPG
South African fruit industry mourns death of leading diplomat Deon Joubert
Industry veteran who served as Citrus Growers’ Association envoy to the EU and played pivotal role in country’s agricultural deregulation, has died
BGP looks to Egypt for year-round consistency
Group says new office in Egypt will help it expand and ensure consistent supply throughout the year
‘Strawberry shuttles’ provide new capacity as Egyptian season starts early
Unexpected higher demand for airfreight capacity prompts new partnership between national carrier and specialist cargo company
Cuna de Platero mulls Mauritanian potential
Spanish cooperative visits African nation as government seeks prospective partners to grow high-value crops like berries
Cameroon banana exports rise despite major producer halt
Other major operators managed to increase exports in September-October compared with same period last year, with subsidiary Compagnie des Bananes de Mondoni now the country’s third-largest banana exporter
Is the divide in the tomato market destined to widen?
Faced with new challenges, some foresee the increasing commoditisation of fresh tomatoes, despite continued success for premium varieties