2020 was a solid year for the SA fruit industry despite the many challenges
After a strong finish in 2020 with double-digit growth in apple and pear sales compared to the previous year, Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, the largest exporter of South African apples and pears, is positive about the year ahead.
While uncertain market conditions such as the impact of Brexit and tariffs remain, and the recent volatility of the Rand against the US dollar, EURO and Pound Sterling is unhelpful, South African agriculture has proven itself despite Covid-19.
According to Tru-Cape managing director Roelf Pienaar, 2020 revenue is a record in Tru-Cape’s history. “The increase was mainly due to the higher volume of fruit, with a larger crop as well as higher export pricing in Rand terms for the 2020 financial year. Although the higher Rand price was due to the weakening Rand we also saw currency inflation in certain markets,” he says.