Business

Received wisdom says that for a fresh produce market to be successful, it must be located where the buyers are and not where the producers are. But a new market in Limpopo appears to be breaking the rules – successfully.

Agri science student Lisa Coetzee was one of only two South Africans chosen to attend the Youth Ag Summit in Canada in 2013. Building on her experiences there, she has formed an organisation dedicated to youth in agriculture. Annelie Coleman spoke to her.

Hailed as a success story by the Eastern Cape premier, Noxolo Kiviet, during her 2014 State of the Province address, Ncora Dairy shows how private-community partnerships can lead to genuine rural development. Grant Hollins reports.

The Buys brothers of Vrede en Lust near Paarl entered the wine industry 18 years ago. After establishing their own wine brand, they developed one of the most successful direct marketing initiatives in the industry.

During the dispute between South Africa and the EU about the perceived threat that citrus black spot might be spread through exported fruit, the first 2014 consignments left our shores in mid-March.

From humble beginnings ZZ2 has grown into a multi-million rand business. Nan Smith visited the company’s HQ to find out what lies at the heart of ZZ2’s success.

Illovo’s Ubombo mill in Swaziland is a showcase of successful electricity co-generation from bagasse. It has increased sugar production in that country and demonstrated that the process is affordable and sustainable.

Despite lacking farming experience, Carole Kirkwood Pretorius converted a rundown Karoo farm into a small but commercially viable enterprise in only six years.

Mike Cordes reviews the role of packaging in the fresh produce sector, and more specifically, its importance at consumer level.

Agricultural co-operative Buffalo City Organic Producers (BCOP) has gone from producing organic vegetables in back gardens to harvesting 10t tomatoes per month hydroponically. This has won them a provincial award. Grant Hollins spoke to BCOP vice-chairperson Nomonde Ndarana.

Balgowan poultry farmer Rodney Smith picked an unconventional approach when it came to upgrading his egg packhouse to meet stringent food safety standards.

South African farmers have long been encouraged to add value to their products for improved profit and control. One farmer that has taken this to heart is bringing home the bacon.

The list of audits to which SA producers are expected to adhere continues to grow – a situation given impetus by the farm worker unrest in the Western Cape in late 2012. Last year saw the introduction of the Sustainability Initiative of South Africa (Siza), and recently the Milieukeur Certification Scheme was launched in this country.

Robertson Winery runs one of a few successful transformation projects in the industry. Cellar master Bowen Botha and shareholder Martha Fielies share their story with Denene Erasmus.

Russia joined the World Trade Organisation in August 2012. As the largest country on the planet, it holds significant trading potential for South Africa, and the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Directorate for International Trade is trying to find more ways to exploit this business opportunity. Susan Botes explores the potential of the partnership.

Dutch processing technology is being used to solve the problem of transporting perishable cassava roots over long distances in Africa.

Eikenhof Poultry Farms, part of the Free Range Chicken Company, is amongst South Africa’s oldest producers of free-range eggs. The company has taken the lead in offering free-range liquid egg products to retailers and food manufacturers. Denene Erasmus spoke to managing director Dr David Allwright.

Business expansion and community development are guiding principles in the Khourie family business. Bosparadys is a thriving dairy concern set to expand despite the tough economic environment dairy farmers operate in.

In August 2009, Elsa Carstens became the first woman in South Africa to head up two producer wine cellars. Due to financial pressure, these cellars had already opted to amalgamate so they could expand market share. Elsa guided them through this process and launched a successful turnaround. Jacques Claassen reports.

Bulk wine exports have become the backbone of South Africa’s international wine trade. But to increase profitability and ensure financial sustainability, Riebeek Cellars is instead investing in a rebranding exercise aimed at increasing bottled wine sales. Cellar master Zakkie Bester shared some wine, and insights, with Denene Erasmus.