The deciduous fruit industry in South Africa offers many market opportunities. Fruit farmer Dibesho Serage explains why the deciduous fruit industry is a delicate dance between tradition and innovation.
Uncover the secrets to meeting market demands, from assessing consumer preferences to optimising supply chain efficiency.
Serage shares that prioritising pest resistance leads to resilient crops and opens doors to new markets. Some markets have strict regulations regarding pesticide residues in agricultural products.
By cultivating pest-resistant crops that require fewer pesticides, farmers may find it easier to meet these regulatory requirements, thereby gaining access to markets that prioritise food safety and quality standards.
Staying competitive
He says there are three main things the consumer is always looking for regardless of the cultivar: “These three items are the colour, size as well as the sugar content of the fruit. We understood that when we started,” he explains.
Serage also emphasises the importance of staying updated on fresh produce market data across the country to understand trends and consumer preferences. Serage shares insights into how he assesses this data to benefit his business, offering valuable tips for staying competitive in the market.
“I always recommend when a cultivar is newly developed, do not rush into [it] immediately, filling up your orchards with that new cultivar… It’s important to observe its testing phase,” he advises.
In this episode, he also discusses:
- The importance of orchard sanitation;
- The market of deciduous fruit in Mzansi and more.
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