At Delecta Fruit, we recognise that the true foundation of our success lies in the dedication and hard work of the people on our farms. That’s why we are committed to supporting our growers as they invest in their workers and their families, promoting not just professional growth but also personal and social development. A prime example of this commitment is the unique karate program initiated and funded by one of our dedicated growers at Vadersgawe farm since November 2021. Led by Renshi Andries Douglas (5th dan), a karate master with over 40 years of experience, this program has been a life-changing initiative for many, and we are proud to support such impactful efforts.

Karate as a Tool for Building Stronger Relationships

Karate is more than just a physical activity; it’s a discipline deeply rooted in values like respect, perseverance and self-discipline. These core principles are what make this martial art such a valuable tool for personal growth and community building. Through regular sessions held on-site at the farm, workers and their children can participate without needing to travel far. The program offers a safe and familiar environment, where families come together and engage in something meaningful. This shared experience has strengthened relationships, not only among the students but within the broader community.

Discipline: A Way of Life

Renshi Andries Douglas believes in educating discipline rather than enforcing it. His approach is designed to teach students the importance of self-regulation and focus through martial arts, helping them develop skills they can use both on and off the mat. By practicing self-discipline in a structured, positive setting, participants are empowered to make healthier life choices, build self-esteem and feel part of something larger than themselves.

Creating a Circle of Positive Social Interaction

The program encourages positive social interaction, offering students the chance to learn from one another, share experiences, and form lasting bonds. Workers and their children come together as a unified group, supporting each other’s progress and celebrating achievements. This sense of belonging is a cornerstone of the initiative, fostering a strong sense of community within the farm.

Looking Ahead

At Delecta, we are proud to support initiatives like the karate program introduced by our grower at Vadersgawe farm. This program goes beyond just teaching a skill – it’s about creating a sense of belonging and purpose. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to our social responsibility, standing behind our growers as they invest in the well-being of their workers and their families, ensuring they feel valued, connected, and empowered for a brighter future.

]]> https://www.delecta.co.za/recent-weather-events-and-agricultural-impact/ Thu, 18 Jul 2024 08:10:19 +0000 https://www.delecta.co.za/?p=1983 Recent weather events and their impact on agriculture have been significant, especially in the Cape Town region and surrounding areas.

Cape Town Region Recent Weather Update

Recently, the Cape Town region has experienced multiple cold fronts, leading to floods, damaging winds, and the closure of schools. These severe weather conditions have had a broad impact on daily life and the agricultural sector. The intense weather has caused significant disruption, affecting both urban areas and farmlands.

Weather Updates from Ceres and Surrounding Regions

We have some updates following the recent rainfall in the regions of Ceres, Wolseley, Bainskloof, Du Toitskloof, and Rawsonville:

• Dam Levels: The main storage dams in Ceres are now full. This is a positive outcome from the heavy rains, ensuring water availability for the coming months.
• Flooding: The significant rainfall has caused the Breede River to flood, surpassing the 100-year flood line in Robertson. This flooding has had various impacts on the agricultural lands and local infrastructure.

Impact on Agriculture

Stone Fruit and Vineyards:

• These areas are currently under water. Fortunately, the trees are not yet in their growth phase, so they are unlikely to be severely affected.
• The key now is for the soil to drain quickly to prevent long-term damage to the roots and the health of the trees.

Citrus Orchards:

• In the Robertson, Bonnievale, and Swellendam areas, the water has flowed through the citrus orchards, which are due for harvest.
• Although the water drains well from the fields, rot is becoming a significant concern.

Rot Concerns

• The wet conditions in the orchards increase the spread of rot spores.
• Spores can easily be spread by wind, harvesters, fruit crates, and packing lines.
• This can significantly affect the quality and quantity of the citrus harvest, posing a challenge for farmers preparing to send their produce to market.

Mitigation Efforts

Farmers and agricultural experts are taking steps to mitigate the impact of these weather events. Strategies include:

• Improving drainage systems to ensure water quickly moves away from the root zones.
• Using protective measures to reduce the spread of rot spores.
• Closely monitoring the health of the crops to manage and respond to any signs of disease promptly.

Conclusion

We are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to mitigate the impact on our produce. The recent weather has undoubtedly posed challenges, but with proactive management and community support, we aim to navigate these difficulties successfully.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding during this time. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates.

7 Teams and 5000 Spekboom Cuttings

On Friday, 26 May 2024, amidst palpable excitement, our teams embarked on a unique journey to various producer farms. Brimming with enthusiasm and a spirit of companionship, they faced spirited challenges, from planting as much spekboom as possible to fostering teamwork and effective communication. It was a day not just for planting trees but for nurturing bonds and strengthening our commitment to sustainability. We aimed to plant 2000 cuttings, but through teamwork and enthusiasm, we ended up planting over 5000! It was truly inspiring to witness everyone come together and exceed our initial goal. This incredible achievement not only showcases our dedication to sustainability but also highlights the power of teamwork and community spirit. Together, we’re making a meaningful impact on the environment and paving the way for a brighter future.

Why Spekboom?

At Delecta Fruit, sustainability is a fundamental principle that determines the point of departure for all our activities at Delecta. That’s why we chose spekboom for our planting initiative. Also known as Portulacaria afra, spekboom is a remarkable succulent native to South Africa. Its environmental benefits are manifold, from combating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide at an impressive rate, to promoting biodiversity and soil health. With its ability to thrive in arid conditions, spekboom is a symbol of resilience and regeneration, qualities we strive to embody as a company.

The Benefits of Spekboom for Orchard Health:

Furthermore, the spekboom, when strategically planted next to orchards, serves as a natural shield against dust, particularly from nearby roads. This seemingly minor yet significant benefit contributes to the overall health of the orchards by reducing dust accumulation on leaves and branches. When trees are exposed to a lot of dust, it can have detrimental effects on their health. Dust accumulation can physically injure the trees’ leaves and bark, hinder photosynthesis, reduce fruit setting, and cause a general reduction in growth. By acting as a barrier, spekboom helps mitigate these risks, ensuring that our orchards remain vibrant, productive, and resilient in the face of environmental challenges.

Cost-effective and Community-driven:

One of the most remarkable aspects of our initiative is its cost-effectiveness and community-driven nature. It didn’t cost our teams anything significant as we utilised cuttings from neighbours and anyone willing to contribute to our green cause. This not only minimised expenses but also fostered a sense of community and shared responsibility towards the environment.

The Importance of Team Building:

Beyond the environmental benefits, our adventurous day was also a testament to the importance of team building. As teams communicated their plans, worked together to source cuttings, and got their hands dirty planting spekboom, they forged bonds that transcend the workplace. Team building isn’t just about boosting morale; it’s about fostering trust, collaboration, and a sense of belonging, all of which are crucial for our collective success.

As the sun set on our adventure, all teams reunited back in Paarl for a well-deserved celebration. A fun-filled spit braai and get-together awaited, providing the perfect opportunity to reflect on the day’s achievements. It was a reminder that when we come together, united by a common purpose, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.

In conclusion, the Delecta Spekboom Planting and Team Building Day wasn’t just about planting trees; it was about sowing the seeds of collaboration, sustainability and community. As the spekboom takes root and flourishes, so too do our connections with each other and our commitment to a greener, brighter future.

To learn more about Delecta’s sustainability initiatives and how we’re making a difference in our communities and the environment, click here. Read more about spekboom’s remarkable environmental capabilities here. Have a look at our Instagram account for fun videos of the day.

Spekboom, a native succulent of South Africa, is renowned for its lush greenery and remarkable ability to flourish in arid climates. Its unassuming facade conceals an environmental powerhouse.

The Carbon Sequestration Maestro

One of Spekboom’s most astounding features is its proficiency in carbon sequestration. This unpretentious plant has the capacity to absorb substantial volumes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. In fact, studies have revealed that a hectare of spekboom can sequester more CO2 than an equivalent area of a tropical rainforest.

How does it achieve this? Spekboom employs a specialised photosynthetic pathway known as Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), allowing it to open its stomata at night, thus minimising water loss and facilitating efficient CO2 absorption. This distinctive adaptation positions it as an invaluable asset in our battle against climate change.

Drought-Resistant and Water-Efficient

Spekboom’s capacity to thrive in arid conditions has propelled it into the spotlight in sustainability circles. As water resources become increasingly scarce in many regions, the cultivation of drought-resistant species such as spekboom is a judicious choice. Its water-efficient characteristics reduce the burden on local water sources, making it an environmentally responsible addition to farms and landscapes.

An Advocate for Biodiversity

Planting spekboom extends benefits beyond climate change mitigation—it also bolsters local biodiversity. Its dense foliage serves as a haven and food source for an array of insects and avian species. By fostering a hospitable habitat, spekboom contributes to the overall vitality of the ecosystem.

Our Dedication to a Sustainable Future

At Delecta, we are firm believers that every incremental effort contributes to the global struggle against climate change. Our support for initiatives such as the spekboom planting project is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to shrinking our carbon footprint and proactively nurturing a healthier environment.

As we progress with our spekboom project, we eagerly anticipate sharing updates on its advancement and the affirmative impact it imparts upon our local ecosystem.

Join Us in Making a Difference!

Join us in celebrating this remarkable plant and its pivotal role in safeguarding our planet for generations to come. Together, we can effect change, one spekboom at a time.

With agriculture and production being part of the thirstiest water consumers globally, we recognise our responsibility in protecting, restoring and renewing this precious resource while supporting healthy ecosystems and economic development. This places water at the core of sustainable development throughout our agricultural supply chain and production systems.

At Delecta we constantly strive toward growth and new prospects within our various fruit categories. One of the recent developments in support of our future strategy is the appointment of Niel Smith as Category Manager of the Pome Fruit (Apples and Pears) division.

Originally from Cape Town with roots in the Langkloof, Niel currently resides in Durbanville with his wife and two children. Niel and his family are known for their athletic capabilities and enjoy spending time outdoors on the mountain bike, hiking and around the golf course.

When Niel starts talking about his career in fruit, it dates back to his very first employment as an apple and pear crop estimate officer. Niel remembers how he had to work his way up from within the production areas to later being fully responsible for the commercial side of fruit exports.

From these humble beginnings, his experience equipped him to be a fully-fledged commercial operator to be reckoned with.

Those that know Niel well will testify that teamwork and customer relations are some of his most prominent strengths. Through the years Niel has been building long-term sustainable relationships across various markets and has an in-depth understanding of the dynamics that the apple and pear world trade entails. In addition to his capability of maximising team-driven results, Niel has a strong focus on attention to detail, service excellence, and being customer-centric in his approach.

Image: Niel Smith with Key Account Managers Lindi-Nicole White and Pierre Nieuwoudt

On a day-to-day basis, Niel strives to communicate pro-actively while ensuring realistic outcomes are achieved both on the producer and the customer side. As we all know the apple and pear industry consists of a complex set of ever-changing variables, this asks for quick decision making and in-depth advanced planning which sits right up Niel’s sleeve.

Following significant growth, especially on the apple side of our business, which we also foresee continuing in the future, Delecta now enters an exciting new phase where the scale of our apple and pear business requires a fresh perspective, innovation, and strategic planning. Niel’s contribution to the above fills us with excitement and we are also glad to be able to retain Niel’s predecessor, Gert Marais, within the team to further bolster our future approach.

Watch this space for more on how Gert will apply his wealth of knowledge on our way forward.

Image: Niel Smith and Gert Marais

The company was founded in 1997 after deregulations of the South African fruit industry. Today, they export deciduous and citrus fruit across the globe. Their aim is to maximise the income for each bin of fruit and for this reason they have also added a domestic marketing department to the business during the past year.

Delecta export 43 pome fruit producers’ fruit to 59 receivers across the globe.  These varieties include various apples, such as Golden Delicious, Royal Gala, Pink Lady, Cripps Red and Topred. The pear varieties include Forelle, William’s Bon Cretien, Rosemarie, Flamingo, Duyenne Du Comice, Abate Fetel, and Packham’s Triumph.

The company is jointly owned by leading producers and management. There are four teams specialising in export and domestic marketing, focusing on stone fruit, blueberries and butternuts, pome fruit, grapes and citrus.

About protecting the orchards, Gert Marais, Category Manager for Apples and Pears, said that they use netting on some of the varieties to change the microclimate, benefitting Class 1 pack out percentage significantly in these case.

Irrigation systems on the farms are designed according to what is needed in the specific orchard. It is also dependant on the climate of the particular region and what variety and rootstock is used. When asked about fertilizers, Gert said that the soil dictates and demands what nature requires. Today a more progressive approach towards fertilizer is followed and mulching and composting is reducing the use of conventional fertilizers.

Commenting on a new technology they currently use on the farms, Gert said that knowledge and information gathered from specialists and travel abroad is used to improve the yield and the quality of their fruit. New technology and interesting new varieties are but a few areas the growers have to invest in to make sure their products stay in high demand.

When it comes to packaging, Delecta does not take any chances with the quality of their fruit. For optimal freshness and fruit longevity, it is best if the fruit is packed on the farm and cooled down to zero degrees. This ensures the best shelf like after a long journey of three to four weeks abroad. Gert said that they handle their fruit with respect, making sure that the consumer has a wonderful eating experience and more. A fact that is well known and something to always keep in mind is that the consumer buys with their eyes – therefore, much detail goes into the packaging and presenting of the end-product.

When asked what technology they use in their packing facilities, Gert said that the packing of fruit is an expensive exercise and systems worth millions of Rands are imported from manufacturers in France and Italy.

Packing is also a labour-intensive process and supplies many South Africans with a sustainable job and income.

Focussing on exports and the current situation worldwide with the COVID-19 epidemic, current delays in the port are challenging, especially the Cape Town port, which can be wind-bound for days. Because of COVID-19 they are experiencing a shortage of shipping containers. Shipping of containers is delayed due to empty containers not arriving from, especially the Far East.

Commenting on the biggest challenges that producers face on the day to day basis, Gert said increasing costs challenges the modern fruit grower. Establishing new orchards are very expensive and a long term investment in an ever fast-changing market. Producers also need to be shrewd businessmen, in order to survive. This is largely due to the fact that the South African fruit producer does not get any support from the government, as their competitors from other fruit-producing countries get from their governments.

Since the start of lockdown, fresh produce with longer shelf-life, such as apples, pears, citrus and butternuts, is experiencing better sales. Consumers visit supermarkets more frequently, buying food with a longer shelf life. Looking at the positives, Gert says they are in the business of health. “We are suppliers of a healthy, natural product sourced from nature which benefits the overall health and wellbeing of our consumers.”

Mari Falck, Market Access Manager at Delecta, says by expressing Delecta Fruit’s support to good social practise and it encourages their producers to participate in social compliance standards. There are special requirements for third party audits by customers, depending on the market requirements. Sustainability Initiative of South Africa (SIZA) / Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX) certification ensures full market access. Social and environmental self-assessment questionnaires must be registered and completed annually. As a minimum, all suppliers must have GLOBALG.A.P Risk Assessment on Social Practice (GRASP) ethical accreditation as an add-on to Global GAP.

SOURCE: www.isuu.com
Vegetables & Fruit / Groente & Vrugte is one of a few publications for the entire fresh produce industry. The magazine was established in 1988. It is available on subscription to producers, market agents and fresh produce markets as well as related businesses and suppliers.

Citrus exports from the Southern Hemisphere this season have been forecast 12% higher year-on-year, driven by increased in lemons and soft citrus.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the Cape Town container terminal which has only been able to operate at 50% capacity due to high numbers of staff being affected by the pandemic. Exports of citrus are continuing from Cape Town with a main focus on services to Europe, UK, Med, Russia and North America.

Due to delayed berthing, shipments are being delayed. Citrus containerized exports from the Western Cape are being trucked in high volume other ports for exporting to ensure continuity in supply to markets.

The South African lemon industry is being very cautious with its export prospects. Large volumes are now on the way, but the large volumes from South Africa and Argentina may put pressure on the market. Exports are currently predicted to amount to 27.1 million boxes (15kg each), which is 5 million more boxes than last year. This increase is mainly a result of acreage expansion. Although the planting of new lemon trees has slowed down, more than 43% of all South African trees are four years old or younger.

The season started earlier this time. The volume of the Citrus fruit category exported is already greater than last year, with much of it going to the Middle East.

See table below (Source: PPECB/Agrihub)

Soft Citrus has also revealed good growth in volumes during 2020. Currently, Europeans and UK price levels are better than last year when looking at kg prices. However, large volumes have been loaded to both Europe and England. The drive is supermarket sales. We will have to see how the extra volumes affect the market.

Ytd shipments from South Africa are showing 500K cartons shipped more compared to 2019 and 400K cartons more compared to 2018.

Click here to view a more detailed report of the despatch summary.

In July, a meeting of the membership by WCO (World Citrus Organization) will review the state of the industry and take stock of the latest consumer trends and producing countries’ experiences in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.

In the past months, citrus has been highlighted as one of the most attractive fruit categories for consumers, given their health properties.