South African avo growers to start picking for exports as weather clears
The export crop estimate for South Africa's new avocado crop is 17 million 4kg cartons, 5% higher than last season. Hass volumes are lower than last year, while Fuerte and Pinkerton volumes are

South African table grape week 6 exports 7% lower with some port delays
The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), through another season update from their bi-weekly Joint Grape Marketing Forum, report that National inspection volumes for week 6 amounted to 5.48

Substantial damage to farms after days of heavy downpours
Recent floods have taken a heavy toll on South African farmers who have reported major losses on their farms. Farmers across the country are reporting substantial damage to farms after days of

Terms of Reference published for South African Fresh Produce Market Inquiry
On 14 February, the Competition Commission (Commission) published the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry Terms of Reference, announcing its intention to conduct a market inquiry into the Fresh Produce

Transnet strike was disastrous for South African blueberries
South Africa’s blueberry season has come to a close, and it is one that many farmers would prefer to forget, with the negative repercussions expected to be felt for years to come as many face

Heavy rains retard South Africa’s lemon harvest
Widespread rain in the north has retarded the lemon harvest in Letsitele, Hoedspruit, Onderberg while Schoemanskloof, west of Nelspruit, reportedly saw some of the most flooding. Over the past

Westfalia showcased its agricultural R&D at Fruit Logistica in Berlin
Westfalia Fruit is the world’s largest private investor in avocado research. The company’s research programme, based in South Africa, consists of a team of inhouse researchers, scientists and

Fresh produce probe in South Africa
A new probe in the distribution and marketing of fresh produce in South Africa will focus attention on the reasons for steep increases in fresh produce prices, while also focusing on the behaviour

“We are very excited about this year’s crop which is six to eight weeks earlier than New Zealand"
South Africa has been growing gold kiwifruit for around 10 years, but it is only during recent years that the production is really coming on and has a good consistent export quality fruit. In the

South Africa: Citrus industry calls for support from President Ramaphosa
2022 South Africa's citrus industry has repeatedly called on the country's government to intervene in the dispute with the European Union over new false codling moth (FCM) regulations. Now the

Westfalia with innovative agricultural R&D at FRUIT LOGISTICA
As an investor in avocado research, Westfalia operates an internationally renowned research programme from South Africa, backed by a dedicated team of in-house researchers, scientists and

Southern Hemisphere production of apples up 5.58%
On the occasion of its Annual General Meeting in Fruit Logistica, the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) has released the Southern Hemisphere apple and pear crop forecast for the upcoming

South African citrus calls for presidential support
Over the past year South Africa’s citrus industry has made several passionate calls to the country’s government to intervene in the dispute between the country and the European Union regarding

Westfalia showcases avocado advances
Westfalia Fruit’s world-renowned avocado research programme is making significant progress in improving the quality and sustainability of the company’s avocados. The South Africa-based

South African government declares national state of disaster
The South African government has, in terms of the Disaster Management Act of 2002, declared a national state of disaster. This should enable an intensive, coordinated response to the impact of