Last year, South Africa exported 26 million cartons of apples and about 13 million cartons of pears, for a value of R6 billion (Source: Hortgro). Export major Tru-Cape’s share of the total was 22% for apples and 29% for pears. Sadly, the apple crop is expected to be 25% down this year due to adverse economic conditions while the strong dollar currency is not making things easier. “Price and shrinking demand mean that increased costs have to be absorbed by the growers, not passed onto consumers,” says Tru- Cape’s Charles Hughes.
