south african carrot tour 2022

article by lindie oberholzer

The group tasting Rugani juice.

In June 2022, a group of carrot growers from Eastern Europe visited Nuvance and some of the major carrot growers in South

Africa to exchange information and learn from one another. The group of ten growers were taken to three growing areas, each with a different climate, soil type and growing practices.

The first stop was at Greenway Farms / Rugani where the visitors could see the carrot giant of South Africa in action. From precision planting to a magnificent packhouse to a world-class juicing facility were shown and all the juice combinations were tested.

Leaving the cold Highveld region, we went to the much warmer Brits area. Brits is known for its hot summers, heavy clay soils and mild winters making carrot production a challenge in the summer. Gert van Rensburg from Langplaas Boerdery, received our visitors and took them to the field explaining their way of overcoming challenges when producing carrots. Everyone was impressed by the uniform established crop and healthy leaves of Belgrado* as well as good weed control.

No carrot tour will be complete without a visit to the Western Cape. Here Laastedrif showed the group what can be done to beat the very difficult growing conditions of the Sandveld. Apart from extremely hot summers, the wind can easily reach 100km/h making crop establishment increasingly difficult. Laastedrif persevered and developed different methods to protect their crop during the most vulnerable stages to ensure a well-established crop and good yield in the end.

Like all good information days, the carrot tour concluded with a delicious meal and social event in true South African West Coast style at Muisbosskerm. Here everyone could discuss carrot growing challenges with fresh seafood and good wine.