South Africa's cherry season is underway, and despite a 20% drop in harvest compared to forecasts, Tru-Cape producers are enthusiastic about the quality and size of the fruit. Calla du Toit, procurement manager, points out that these cherries are among the best ever seen, while Nico Verhoef, director of Witzenberg Properties, describes the size of the fruit as phenomenal.
Due to unfavorable weather conditions during flowering and fruit set, the total Tru-Cape crop dropped from an estimated 520 tons to just over 400 tons. Frost in mid-September caused significant losses, especially in the Ceres area, where producers were powerless to combat it with irrigation.
Despite the decrease in volume, the market seems to appreciate the exceptional quality of South African cherries, with growing demand in the Middle and Far East, particularly in Malaysia, Vietnam and Hong Kong. Tru-Cape is exploring opportunities to extend the availability of cherries on local shelves, considering optimal storage to prolong their presence.
Prices realized by producers are satisfactory, with the exchange rate and weak rand in their favor. The market, both local and international, is stable, with prices averaging between 10 and 20 rupees per kg higher than the previous season. All Tru-Cape cherries are exported by air, relieving pressure on the port of Cape Town.
Producers are optimistic about the opening of the Chinese market for South African cherries, considering the significant potential of this market. With a 98 percent expansion of cherry-growing hectares in the past five years, Ceres is now the largest cherry-producing area in South Africa. Cherry cultivation integrates well with apple and pear cultivation, allowing producers to optimize resource use.
Read the full article: Farmers Review Africa
30 Sep 2024
The VPD measures the difference between the vapor pressure of the air and that on the surface of the fruit, indicating the air's ability to absorb moisture. A high VPD indicates that the air can absorb more moisture, which could lead to further dehydration.
09 Mar 2026
In the United States, trained dogs are proving effective at detecting little cherry disease in cherry trees before symptoms appear. After orchard trials, research is moving into Washington nurseries to improve early diagnosis and help contain disease spread.
22 Sep 2026
A Chilean study on Lapins and Regina cherries tests melatonin before and after harvest: greener stems and delayed ripening, but no improvement in firmness and a higher incidence of orange peel disorder, limiting its technical and commercial use for long-distance shipping.
22 Sep 2026
Bacterial canker in sweet cherry, caused by Pseudomonas syringae, is becoming more frequent in Washington. Learn the key symptoms, susceptible cultivars, predisposing conditions and management practices that can help reduce infection, tree decline and orchard losses.
