Investment Boosts South African Stonefruit Season Expectations

South Africa is looking forward to a positive stonefruit campaign in 2025/26 with exports set to rise by 6% following breakthroughs in addressing issues which have curbed the sector’s progress in recent years.

Image: Hortgro

Optimistic growers expect increased production across most regions after favourable weather with “desirable” fruit set and fruit quality, according to industry body Hortgro.

Supply is forecast to be “healthy and balanced” across all stone fruit categories, complementing continued strong demand in the UK where sales will be supported by retail, trade, and online promotions. 

Overcoming Issues

The outlook paints a upbeat picture, following a difficult few years for the industry, Hortgro noted.

Grower confidence is increasing following improvements to long-running logistical issues, including delays at ports and load shedding on farms.

Port efficiency is expected to be “significantly improved” this season, Hortgro said, thanks to new investment in infrastructure and plans by new management to address longstanding problems.

Solar installations on farms have helped growers to overcome the challenges of load shedding in previous years as well as providing a sustainability boost.

Meanwhile, investment is going into planting, replacing orchards, new varieties, building better packhouses with new technology, and improving cold storage facilities, according to Hortgro.

“We are cautiously optimistic about the season ahead,” explained Charl Herbst, chairman of stone fruit at Hortgro. 

“Early indications are looking positive, with good volumes in the market, high-quality fruit and stable prices. Eating quality is excellent and export volumes will definitely rise if growing conditions stay the same as they are now.

“There are certainly still things to improve upon, but if you look at how it’s going, it’s a very positive outlook,” Herbst concluded.

Optimistic Forecast

Nectarine volume is expected to recover to normal levels this season, following a challenging 2024/25, with good eating quality and storability.

As a standout category, Hortgro said South African stone fruit growers have been investing in orchards and new varieties leading to a 26% increase in total hectarage over the past five years. 

The ongoing adoption of higher-yielding nectarine varieties will support further export growth in the years to come.

Total nectarine exports for 2025/26 are set to grow by 18% to 12.26m cartons, according to Hortgro’s forecasts, thanks to favourable conditions for early varieties and higher-yielding orchards.

Plum exports are projected to increase by 3% to 15.35m cartons, with peaches up 3% to 1.94m cartons. 

Apricots will be the only crop set to decline, with exports falling 3% to 720,000 cartons.

Promotional Plans

With expectations of a smooth season, a consumer marketing programme will support exports to the UK. 

The top 100 Morrisons stores will feature off-fixture displays, while an advert will run in Sainsbury’s magazine, alongside trade PR and feature articles. 

Further consumer-facing activity will include three new recipes from South African chef Reuben Riffel, and social media activity across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as a collaboration with foodie influencer Izabella Jakubec.