Honouring roots: Tru-Cape marks SA's 363-year apple legacy

The South African apple industry recently celebrated 363 years since the first apple seeds were planted on local soil, laying the foundation for what would become one of the nation’s most vital agricultural sectors. According to Tru-Cape, this historic moment signified the birth of South Africa’s apple industry, now a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural economy.

“Each year on April 17, Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, South Africa’s largest apple and pear marketer, commemorates this milestone, honouring the roots of an industry that feeds the world and sustains thousands of local livelihoods,” Tru-Cape stated.

According to Henk Griessel, Tru-Cape’s quality assurance manager and co-author of Early Apples at The Cape, 17 April 1662 is a date every South African apple grower should remember.

Growing a legacy

“It’s where our story began. The fact that Tru-Cape continues to preserve older varieties in our Heritage Orchard at Oak Valley Estate in Grabouw shows our commitment to honouring the past while preparing for the future.

“As the single largest marketer of apples and pears from Ceres Fruit Growers and Two-A-Day Group, Tru-Cape is at the forefront of this dynamic sector. With a grower base representing more than 20% of the country’s apple exports and supplying 105 markets with South African apples, Tru-Cape is instrumental in opening new markets, ensuring fruit quality, and driving innovation from orchard to export terminal,” Griessel said.

Meanwhile, the managing director of Tru-Cape, Roelf Pienaar, said they are going beyond marketing and are involved in everything from cultivar innovation, quality assurance, and sustainability to investing in market access and technology that improves traceability and efficiency.

“The birthday of our industry is a reminder of the legacy we’re entrusted with and the future we are building,” he said.

Pienaar said as Tru-Cape celebrated the 363rd anniversary of that first apple harvest, it was clear that this was more than just a birthday, but a reminder of how far the industry has come and how much promise lies ahead.

“From two apples to close to 50 million cartons exported each year, the story of South African apples is one of resilience, innovation, and growth. We’re proud to carry that legacy forward, one apple at a time,” he said.

Opportunities and challenges of a modern industry

According to Tru-Cape, South Africa’s apple industry remains a vital economic driver, supporting thousands of jobs, generating export revenue, and contributing significantly to food security.

“The country’s apples are enjoyed across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, America, Canada and Mexico, with new market access to countries like Thailand promising even greater expansion.

“Yet the industry also faces serious challenges. Climate change is reshaping growing conditions, prompting a wave of innovation in varietal development, irrigation, and crop protection. Logistical bottlenecks, including port inefficiencies and transport constraints, continue to test growers and exporters. Rising input costs and regulatory changes (such as the EU’s Green Deal) demand smarter, more sustainable farming practices,” the statement said.

The industry said, despite this, the local apple industry is evolving rapidly, embracing technology, data-driven farming, and international collaboration to secure its future.

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