A rapidly changing world holds challenges and opportunities for the deciduous-fruit industry. By Engela Duvenage. Grit, application, action, and belief amid continued political, logistical, and climatic challenges have been a powerful success formula for the deciduous-fruit industry over more than…
Louder voices and better planning are needed to address the reshaping of rural towns driven by internal migration. By Engela Duvenage. Conversations about migration generally focus on foreign migrants, legality, and border control. But underestimating the impact of internal migration…
Meaningful agricultural transformation requires more than just unlocking land. By Engela Duvenage. Small-scale farms need to become commercially successful within a policy framework that helps the agriculture sector and South Africa as a whole thrive, according to Wandile Sihlobo, chief…
Supporting communities involved in land claims plays a major part in their success. By Engela Duvenage. On 25 October 2024, the Rakwadu community received title deeds for two farms totalling 1 123 hectares near Tzaneen, following a successful land claim process…
How the European Union is attempting to achieve food security without losing sight of its sustainability goals. By Anna Mouton. The European Union is one of the South African deciduous-fruit industry’s key export markets. Therefore, the audience at the 2026…
What is South Africa doing to take advantage of upheavals in the global trade landscape? By Anna Mouton. President Donald Trump’s efforts to make America great again in the face of China’s growing economic and political power are reshaping global…
Understanding how shoppers in the United States buy apples holds valuable lessons for the South African industry. By Anna Mouton. “We have to think about what will get an apple into a consumer’s mouth,” said Tom Barnes, President and CEO…
Compliance with local and international regulations is non-negotiable for the deciduous-fruit industry to continue operating. By Anna Mouton. “Regulation is not the sexiest topic,” admitted Rod Bell, speaking at the 2026 Hortgro Technical Symposium. “But regulations give our industry the…
How should countries think about border biosecurity when even the most stringent system in the world is fallible? By Anna Mouton. “It’s very tempting to believe that the biosecurity system is like a wall that protects all our valued assets…
Quarantine, diagnostics, and laboratory networks support biosecurity within a global context of constrained resources. By Jenny Underhill. “Emerging or invasive pests may cause food insecurity, limit economic growth, and lead to unemployment,” said Nolan Africander, speaking at the 2026 Hortgro…