Olive Oil Success Through Innovation

The Greenleaf Olive Company near Cape Agulhas in the Overberg planted its first trees in 2006. Just 10 years later, the olive oil produced here is one of South Africa’s premium local brands. 

- Jay Ferreira

Capetonians Sean and René White wanted to farm, but they had no idea which commodity to choose.

“Sean was raised on a farm, but had an engineering business,” says René. “We used to drive around on Sundays looking at farms, but didn’t know what we’d farm. Then we saw land along the Breede River advertised in Farmer’s Weekly. We both enjoy fishing, so we drove out to Malgas in a storm to have a look.”

The land was an ostrich farm with the Breede River running along the outer boundary of the property, and the couple decided to buy it in 2004, still not knowing what they wanted to plant.

“On a business trip to Australia, Sean became interested in olive farming, and by the time he returned home the bug had bitten,” René recalls.

THOROUGH RESEARCH

The Whites proceeded to have the soil analysed and conducted impact studies to determine how much of the land could be cultivated.

“The farm had plenty of potential,” says Sean. “The soils on the hillsides are good for grapes and we have old river terraces where the soil is stony, sandy and well aerated, which is good for olives.”

The couple visited olive farms in Israel, Italy, Spain, the US, Argentina and Australia, but settled on the production methods used in Australia.

According to Sean, Australian olive farmers experience serious problems with labour and have therefore become highly efficient and learnt not to waste anything.

“So we work closely with olive farmers in Australia and now use the same technology [they use] – they share their knowledge freely.”

SETTING UP THE BUSINESS

Greenleaf’s first olive trees were planted in 2006, with 20ha of the 982ha farm planted to Frantoio, Leccino and Coratina olives. About 550ha of the farm consists of arable land.