A decade ago, the Hermitage Valley near Swellendam was one of the largest youngberry- and blackberry producing areas in South Africa. Today, it is effectively only blackberries that remain; Wildebraam Berry Estate is the only farm in the area to still grow youngberries, and that on a mere hectare. The crop is used almost exclusively in value-added products, such as liqueurs and jams.
Natalie Turck, who owns the farm with her husband, Martyn, blames the decline on poor returns.
“Bulk buyers stopped differentiating pricing between youngberries and blackberries. So we, like many other farmers in the region, switched to blackberries, which are easier and cheaper to produce as they don’t have a trailing habit and produce a higher yield than youngberries.”
Wildebraam, which covers 11ha, now has 4ha under blackberry production.
Despite the rising demand for fresh berries, blackberry production, too, is under pressure due to increasing input costs, especially labour and electricity, in combination with competition with cheap imports, primarily from the East. The Turcks have therefore had to think out of the box to find ways to enhance farm profitability.
One of the biggest changes they have effected is the way they sell their berries.
“In the past, we could merely sit back and wait for buyers to fetch our berries. These days, we’re much more progressive in negotiating sales terms, and have significantly diversified our markets,” says Turck.
While Wildebraam has always added value to a small portion of its produce by processing it into jams, chutneys and liqueurs, they now divert their bulk sale berries to the fresh and frozen markets.
THE FROZEN MARKET
この記事は Farmer's Weekly の November 15, 2019 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Farmer's Weekly の November 15, 2019 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
