Through years of targeted investment, shared learning, and precision orchard management, Tru-Cape growers have unlocked the full potential of Pink Lady® apples—achieving record packouts across their packhouses.
At Ceres Fruit Growers, Pink Lady® packouts reached nearly 75%—the highest in its history—while Two-a-Day recorded an 8 percentage point increase compared to last year. This success reflects a coordinated long-term strategy to enhance colour development, fruit quality, and yield consistency.
A pivotal realisation was that increasing the proportion of Pink Lady® (versus Cripps Pink) could significantly boost profitability.
“We made it our goal to get closer to 80% Pink Lady® per hectare, and these results show the strategy is working,” says Calla du Toit, Tru-Cape’s Procurement Manager.
Innovation Begins in the Orchard
Growers like Kootjie Viljoen of Oewerzicht farm near Greyton have pioneered methods to improve light penetration and enhance colour, especially in warmer regions. Techniques include summer pruning, leaf breaking, and reflective mulch that redirects sunlight into the canopy. These efforts have increased Pink Lady® yields by around 20%. Though costly, they add tens of thousands of rands in value per hectare.
In cooler regions like the Witzenberg Valley, growers use automated overhead irrigation to manipulate diurnal temperatures during ripening, further improving colour. Nets are also widely adopted to reduce sunburn while promoting more consistent colouring.
At Laastedrif, Rossouw Cillié has refined orchard systems by rethinking planting layouts, trellises, and rootstocks to create optimal microclimates.
Technology and Collaboration
Tru-Cape’s success also reflects a generational shift. Younger growers are embracing tools such as GPS-guided fertilizer spreaders, smart irrigation, and advanced weather forecasting. Crucially, they share knowledge, driving collective improvement.
Export Growth and Market Confidence
Improved quality and consistency are driving strong export growth. Demand in Europe is up 30% year-on-year, with particularly strong gains in Russia, the Middle East, and India. Over 100,000 cartons were shipped to Russia this season—a record for the brand.
“Pink Lady® is one of the most consistent apple brands,” says Cillié. “Consumers know exactly what they’re getting, and that’s a major competitive advantage.”
Looking Ahead
Tru-Cape remains focused on responsible growth, prioritising quality over quantity to protect the Pink Lady® brand. Future plans include trials with new colour-enhanced strains, further adoption of precision tools, and continuous system upgrades.
“We aim to stay world-class in both production and delivery,” says du Toit. “Pink Lady® is not just a great apple—it’s a brand our growers are proud to grow, and one that consumers around the world trust.”