South Africa’s apple and pear industry continues to invest in modern infrastructure to remain competitive in increasingly demanding global markets. Reflecting this trend, Ceres Fruit Growers (CFG) has completed a major infrastructure and technology upgrade that strengthens its ability to support growers while positioning the business for future growth.
As one of the shareholder packhouses supplying Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, CFG now handles between 130,000 and 145,000 tonnes of apples and pears annually, making it one of South Africa’s leading apple and pear packhouses.
Growing Capacity for Increasing Production
The multi-million-rand investment comes as growers continue replacing older orchards with new-generation apple and pear varieties that are more productive. As production volumes increase, packhouses must be able to process larger quantities of fruit while meeting the quality and export requirements of international markets.
According to CFG Logistics Manager Con Louw, the upgrades were designed to improve efficiency throughout the operation. Loading and dispatch capacity has been expanded through additional dock levellers, larger load-out areas and improved pallet handling systems. A new staging area can now accommodate 24 export containers simultaneously, allowing fruit to move more efficiently from the packhouse to the port.
The investment is particularly significant as exporters continue to navigate changing shipping schedules. Greater flexibility within the packhouse enables fruit to be prepared in advance and dispatched more efficiently when logistics change.
Technology Drives Efficiency
Maintaining an efficient cold chain remains critical for export success. CFG currently operates 16 cold treatment protocol rooms, steri tunnels and upgraded holding rooms, with further recooling capacity planned as export protocols and packaging requirements become increasingly specialised. These facilities help ensure fruit meets the cold treatment requirements of international markets while maintaining product quality throughout the export process.
Automation also plays an increasingly important role in the packing process. Advanced fruit camera systems and automated palletisers improve productivity while helping maximise packout percentages. Packhouse Five, dedicated to bi-coloured apples, operates 24 hours a day during peak season and packs approximately 18 tonnes per hour into four colour categories with ten count sizes within each category.
Investing in Export Readiness
Maintaining an efficient cold chain remains critical for export success. CFG currently operates sixteen cold treatment protocol rooms, steri tunnels and upgraded holding rooms, with further recooling expansion planned as export protocols and packaging requirements become increasingly specialised.
The company has also invested in energy resilience. Through two generators, 5.5 MW of solar capacity and battery storage, the entire facility can continue operating independently of Eskom when required. Reliable power helps maintain cold-chain integrity and supports uninterrupted export operations.
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According to Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing Managing Director Roelf Pienaar, the upgrades strengthen CFG’s ability to consistently supply global markets with high-quality fruit despite increasing logistical and market pressures. He says the investment also demonstrates the long-term confidence growers have in South Africa’s apple and pear industry.
As production volumes continue to increase, investments in advanced packing technology, cold-chain infrastructure and energy resilience will play an increasingly important role in helping South Africa’s apple and pear industry remain competitive in global export markets.