Cherries glisten under the spring sun in Ceres, officially marking the start of Tru-Cape’s 2025 season with excellent prospects: orchards are laden with fruit, and quality levels look outstanding.
Near-perfect weather conditions have supported abundant flowering and uniform fruit set, leading growers to predict a 5–7% increase in production compared to last year.
Calla du Toit, Tru-Cape’s Procurement Director, explains how the balance of rainfall and sunshine created ideal conditions for an exceptional season.
“The growing conditions have been among the best we’ve ever had,” says Du Toit. “We had timely rain, followed by warm, sunny days during bloom — perfect for pollination and fruit set.”
The results are evident in the sugar levels: early tests have already surpassed 25° Brix, indicating particularly sweet and juicy cherries.
“We’re very optimistic,” adds Du Toit. “The cherries taste fantastic. Everything points to a season of exceptional quality.”
Deon Malherbe, a grower from the Eselfontein area, confirms the positive trend: “Alongside the good results from mature orchards, this year many younger plantings are also beginning to produce.”
According to Nico Verhoef of Witzenberg Properties, the 2025 harvest started 7–10 days earlier than in 2024 — a crucial advantage for capturing the pre-Christmas sales window, when cherry demand peaks.
“The earlier start gives us an extra week of sales,” notes Du Toit. “With the holidays approaching, that’s a significant competitive edge.”
Verhoef adds that the start of the season is always a mix of excitement and tension: “Things can change quickly, but right now the trees are heavily loaded and fruit sizing is developing well.”
To ensure maximum freshness, Witzenberg Properties has invested in strengthening its cooling system. Updates include a revamped hydro-cooling facility and the use of smaller trucks to shorten the time between harvest and processing.
“The faster we can reduce fruit temperature, the longer the cherries last. We believe this will have a real impact on final quality,” explains Verhoef.
The reduced impact of loadshedding (power outages) compared to previous years also allows for more stable cold chain management.
While the “My Cherry” brand continues to strengthen its position in the local market, Tru-Cape is firmly focusing on exports, targeting the UK, Europe, and potentially China.
“A significant share of the crop will be exported,” says Du Toit. “We’re also testing shared air shipments to make air freight more efficient.”
A key moment will be the visit of a Chinese trade delegation to the orchards and packing facilities — a crucial step toward opening the Chinese market to South African cherries.
“We’re 2–3 weeks ahead of Chile, and that window could prove strategic,” emphasizes Du Toit.
The international market is raising its standards: buyers now prefer cherries 24 mm and larger, whereas 22 mm was once acceptable.
Growers are already adjusting their orchard management — from pruning to thinning — and testing new varieties and rootstocks to produce larger, more uniform fruit.
Tru-Cape continues to focus on sustainability, introducing eco-friendly packaging made partly from recycled paper and promoting biodiversity through the planting of fynbos — native vegetation that supports pollination.
Meanwhile, the entire Ceres community is gearing up for the Ceres Cherry Festival, scheduled for the first weekend of December — an event that brings together growers, industry players, and residents to celebrate the “red queen” of fruit.
“There’s a real buzz in town,” says Verhoef. “Cherry season is a special time for the whole community.”
With rising yields, top-quality fruit, new markets on the horizon, and an increasingly efficient, sustainable supply chain, Tru-Cape’s 2025 cherry season promises to be a memorable one — showcasing the best of South African agriculture and the timeless allure of cherries.
Text and image source: tru-cape.com
20 May 2025
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