Associated Fruit Processors
Associated Fruit Processors Local fresh fruit concentrates making internationally renowned products
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roducing high quality fruit concentrates is a process that has to be cultured. In the picturesque valley of Grabow, near Cape Town, orchards in the heart of South Africa’s prime apple and pear producing region are the source of a major portion of the country’s apple crop. Originally established in the 1970s, Associated Fruit Processors (AFP) is now co-owned by Appletiser SA (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of SAB Miller, and a consortium of apple and pear producers in the greater area. Locally sourced, fresh fruit is used to create clear apple and pear juice concentrates and -aromas. These products are sold in local and international markets to customers in the juice and beverage industries and can be packed, transported and shipped in a number of different pack sizes. More than 70,000 tons of fruit per year are transformed into high quality fruit juice concentrates. AFP uses modern technology in its machinery and processing techniques to ensure it is keeping up with the very latest trends and innovations in the industry.
“In our continued strive for excellence, we maintain a network of technological support from Europe, which also benefits our own creation of skills through a continual focus on training,” says AFP. This quality-driven culture means AFP meets the stringent demands of both local and international customers. “We are dedicated to delivering quality products and exemplary customer service to exceed the high standards expected by our customers.” APPLETISER Appletiser is one of the most popular soft drink brands in South Africa and is sold all over the world. By taking apple juice and making it lightly carbonated, Appletiser’s distinctive taste has made it a favourite brand internationally It also has a long history, having been first produced in 1966 in Western Cape by Edmond Lombard. Lombard was an apple farmer who joined the words apple and appetiser to come up with the Appletiser name.
TURNING FRUIT INTO JUICE The process of turning fruit into juice begins with it being picked in the harvest season.This is washed before being sorted and graded. The fruit is then milled to pulp-form which is conveyed to presses that extract juice by applying physical pressure, leaving only the fibrous insoluble parts of the apple behind. Breaking down the pectin in the fruit is essential to increasing the juice yield, which when extracted undergoes an enzyme treatment. Both the added and naturally occurring enzymes are then deactivated and the extracted juice is passed through an ultrafiltration system. AFP uses the very latest technology in their processes, and the juice is heated to a specific temperature and flash-cooled immediately to inhibit any microbiological growth. After which it is passed through an evaporator to remove water content
and concentrate the juice, at a low pressure. The evaporation process also provides sufficient microbiological control to allow the material to be stored and handled. Now the juice is ready for processing by a final packer. AFRIPURE AFP also operates a wholly owned subsidiary, Afripure Fruit Juices, which is a manufacturer of pure and blended fruit juices and nectars. Established in 2011, it supplies fruit juice blends to a range of customers both locally and internationally, including juice bottlers, dairy companies and other food operations that require quality fruit juice blends in their products. These companies aren’t just customers, they are
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collaborators in helping Afripure create new flavours and juice products, too. SOUTH AFRICAN FRUIT JUICE ASSOCIATION The South African Fruit Juice Association is a voluntary body representing the processing and packaging companies that produce fruit juice concentrates, pulps and purees and readyto-drink fruit juices, nectars and drinks for local consumption and the export market. AFP is a proud member of this association, and company CEO Johan de Kock also serves as Chairman. The body helps to protect the image and integrity of the industry and to act as its representative and voice.
TETRA PAK - PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD™ Tetra Pak is the world leader in liquid food processing and packaging. Tetra Pak’s motto PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD reflects the philosophy upon which we conduct our business in order to make food safe and available, everywhere. More information about Tetra Pak is available at www.tetrapak.com
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