Vegetables & Fruit May/June 2024

Citrus exports to India face challenges

AN EXHILARATING ARRAY OF CARROT VARIETIES!

ALLYANCE

• Very smooth, uniform and attractive carrots

• Cylindrical root shape

• Good field holding ability

• No green shoulders

• High yielding with early maturity

BRILLYANCE

• Excellent attachment strength

• Very good seedling vigour

• Very high yielding

• Outstanding external texture and length

• Medium to late maturing

• Excellent uniformity

• Very cylindrical root

• Good smooth skin

• Strong resistance to premature bolting

• Suitable for mechanical harvesting SPEEDO

• High potential pre-pack percentage

• Uniform cylindrical and well-rounded roots

• High silvering tolerance

• Outstanding shelf appearance

• High leaf disease resistance MAESTRO

• Excellent uniformity

• Very good smoothness

• Cylindrical root with good size

• Very high yield

• Medium maturing SUBITO

• Improved internal and external colour

• Very uniform, well rounded and smooth roots

• Good level of silvering tolerance

• Ideally suited to the pre-pack market

• Medium maturing SOPRANO

Edition 219 ISSN 1015-85 37 www.vegetablesandfruitmagazine.co.za

South Africa's first seasonal forecast for soft citrus exports have emerged, with volumes pegged at 38 m cartons.

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4 Bühler aims to implement successful food security projects in Southern Africa

4 Fresh Solutions Cape Town addresses logistics, challenges and solutions

6 InteliGro announces new MD

6 Wortelboer Vito Rugani oorlede

6 Hortgro welcomes new manager

8 Landbouverwerking kan ekonomie bevorder

9 Sagtevrugtebedryf stel nuwe stigting bekend

9 Datacentrix wins Agrimark award NEWS

CITRUS

10 Die winsgewende, kostebesparende byvoegmiddel vir gebruik in boordgewasse

12 Vietnam market is now open to South African oranges

13 Citrus Growers welcomes new chairperson

14 Citrus export estimates show growth amid challenges

16 Citrus exports to India face challenges

18 Digging deeper: Insights into onion and beet cultivation

GENERAL

20 Faktore in die sukses en mislukking van konvensionele plaagdoders

22 Macadamia nut prices rebound

24 Moenie raai nie, meet is al manier om die aalwurmsituasie te bepaal

26 Water quality concerns and contingencies

ROOT VEGETABLES

Bühler aims to implement successful food security projects in Southern Africa

Southern Africa's food and mobility issues demand innovative solutions, technologies, process solutions, and business models. Bühler Southern Africa is committed to addressing food security, a regional and continent-wide concern.

“We are actively participating in various discussions, highlighting the importance of this issue and our dedication to finding solutions,” comments MD Marco Sutter. “Our mission is innovation for a better world.

“We want to contribute to a sustainable world that affords the next generation the same chance to live and develop as today’s society. The digitalised world we live in requires higher flexibility and agility to be successful and, as a result, a culture based on self-responsibility and collaboration,” says Sutter.

Values are the basics of any company culture, and Sutter highlights that Bühler Southern Africa cares equally for its customers and colleagues. “Our mission is innovation for a better world. What does that mean for us in our region? We

have a huge responsibility. We create solutions for safe and affordable food and feed for everyone.”

Sutter affirms that Bühler is the technology leader in the industry and sets new trends with its advanced solutions. “We develop new process solutions and business models for the industry and nurture fresh talent for the region. The world we currently inhabit requires more flexibility and agility to achieve success. Therefore, we need to inculcate a culture of high self-responsibility and collaboration,” says Sutter.

Bühler has been operating in South Africa since 1972 and has over 220 employees at present. Its Johannesburg operation provides sales and service, project execution and manufacturing and logistics. In addition, it has service stations in Cape Town, Lusaka, and Maputo, offering its extensive client base spares and wear parts, roll refluting, and die refurbishment. “We offer a strong and trusted local presence in Africa, with a state-of-the-art workshop and local spares stockholding,” concludes Sutter.

Fresh Solutions Cape Town addresses logistics, challenges and solutions

Recently, the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Fresh Solutions event brought over 50 leaders across the fresh produce supply chain together in Cape Town to learn about the latest developments in the logistics landscape and how to plan for exports ahead of a bumper deciduous season.

Some of the critical things that was evident from the event was that South Africa is dependent on a functional logistics network for economic growth. Yet, the country is losing R1 billion per day to rail underperformance, while port inefficiencies cost the economy around R200 million in direct and indirect costs daily. Public-private partnerships are according to the IFPA the only viable way to identify and resolve the issues facing the country’s ports. The main factors affecting efficient port operations include equipment shortages, breakdowns, and weather conditions. The potential impact of the general election’s results on the industry creates uncertainty.

In addressing the rebuilding of South Africa’s logistic landscape, Mike Walwyn, a director at South African Freight Forwarders (SAFFE), emphasised South Africa's dependence on a functional logistics network for economic growth.

He said public-private partnerships are the only viable

way to identify and resolve the issues facing the country's ports. The private sector has a key role to play in mobilising funding, providing expertise, and collaborating with the government to reform the industry.

Antoinette van Heerden, logistical affairs manager at Fresh Produce Exporters Forum, discussed ongoing equipment shortages, breakdowns, and weather conditions as the main factors affecting efficient port operations. She touched on uncertainties about the potential impact of the general election’s results on state owned enterprises (SOE) with multi-party governments, the minister of transport (replacing SOE), and the effectiveness of the new transport regulator.

Van Heerden is optimistic about the appointment of Adv Michelle Phillips as Transnet's group CEO, the appointment of a new terminal manager at the Port of Cape Town, the deployment of a fourth shift (125 new staff members) at Cape Town Container Terminal, onsite Navis training, and the acquisition of new container handling equipment for ports.

Tanel du Plooy, Agricultural Produce Agents Council Vice Registrar, presented the purpose of the Competition Commission's inquiry on the fresh produce market and possible outcomes.

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LEES DIE ETIKET VOOR GEBRUIK.

InteliGro announces new MD

WinField United South Africa announced the appointment of AJ Griesel as the managing director of InteliGro Crop Solutions.

Griesel is a seasoned operational and commercial executive with a well-developed strategic mindset and extensive experience in the South African agricultural sector and the food value chain.

He holds both a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Stellenbosch University. He has a dedicated background and a respected presence in the agricultural industry. His professional experience in the South African agricultural industry spans over 20 years.

Griesel recently led the South African Table Grape Industry as their Chief Executive Officer (CEO). During his extensive career, Griesel has also served on the board as a non-executive director for several industry entities. These include Culdevco, Hortfin, Fruit South Africa, FruitFly Africa and Sapo Trust.

Griesel emphasises leading people so that business performance, operational excellence and profitable growth are achieved and accelerated. He believes in a values-based culture that supports the delivery of long-term achievements for the organisation and its stakeholders.

VWortelboer Vito Rugani

oorlede

ito Rugani, baanbreker-wortelboer van Greenway Farms by Talton in Gauteng, is 15 April 2024 oorlede. Hy en sy vennoot, Vincent Sequeira, het hulle boerdery van 1990 af opgebou tot een van Suid-Afrika se grootste wortelprodusente.

Hulle het met ‘n boerdery van gemengde groente op 20 ha begin en dit ontwikkel tot ‘n gespesialiseerde boerdery waar 300 ton wortels daagliks op 3 700 ha verbou word. Die boerdery het vertakkings in Noordwes en Limpopo. By Tarlton het Rugani ‘n vertakking vir die produksie van wortelsap begin. Hiervoor word sowat 80 ton wortels gebruik om 40 000 liter sap te vervaardig.

Hortgro welcomes new manager

Hortgro recently welcomed another member to its team to fill the resource management and sustainability manager role.

Nitasha Baijnath-Pillay is an environmental specialist who has served the Western Cape and the national environmental departments over the past 20 years. She has obtained a master’s degree in environmental management from the University of Stellenbosch. She has extensive knowledge and experience in the water, air, waste and climate sectors in South Africa.

Pillay has pioneered and led several projects over the past 20 years, some of which have been embarked on for the first time in South Africa and Africa. She has represented South Africa’s interests and position on many international agreements and resolutions.

Before joining Hortgro, her recent focus was on working closely with the private sector, governments, academia, and community constituencies to develop and implement plans that facilitate growth in the oceans/blue economy sector of South Africa. Now, she is looking forward to making an indelible contribution to the Deciduous Fruit Industry of South Africa.

AJ Griesel, managing director of InteliGro Crop Solutions.

Vito Rugani

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Landbouverwerking kan ekonomie bevorder

Ter wille van hoër uitvoerwaarde kan dit sinvol wees dat die avokadobedryf sy olieproduksie uitbrei en met uitvoermarkte heronderhandel.

Tussen 2018 en 2022 was die gemiddelde uitvoerwaarde per ton avokado-olie byna twee keer die uitvoerwaarde per ton van vars of gedroogde avokado’s.

John Hudson NEDBANK KOMMERSIËLE BANKSAKE

Primêre landbou dra ongeveer 2,5% by tot Suid-Afrika se bruto binnelandse produk, wat ’n relatief klein bydrae is in ag genome dat landbougrond byna 80% van die land se totale grondoppervlakte beslaan. Die sektor se algehele bydrae, insluitend die waardeketting, is egter aansienlik hoër, met ’n bydrae van 10,3% in 2023 (7,8% in 2021).

ton vir landbouverwerkte goedere is tot drie keer dié van nieverwerkte goedere, wat hoër uitvoerverdienste vir die bedryf impliseer.

Die landbousektor se prominente rol in die ekonomie spruit uit verbintenisse met ander sektore. Hierdie verbintenisse sluit in terugwaartse interaksies met boere deur die aankoop van goedere soos kunsmis, chemikalieë en implemente, asook voorwaartse verbintenisse deur die uitvoer van primêre produkte, verspreiding in die voedselketting, en die verskaffing van grondstowwe vir landbouverwerking.

Sowat 70% van landbou-uitset dien as intermediêre produkte in die verwerkingsektor. Landbouverwerking, wat sedert die 1970’s die grootste komponent van die vervaardigingsektor is, dra oor die afgelope 50 jaar konsekwent ’n gemiddelde derde van die totale vervaardigingsuitset by, en die aandeel het sedert 2010 gegroei.

Die landbouwaardeketting word gevolglik as ’n belangrike groei-enjin vir die res van die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie beskou en, in baie gevalle, die lewensaar van die landelike ekonomie. In talle dokumente, insluitend die meesterplan vir landbou en landbouverwerking (AAMP) van 2022, is landbouverwerking as ’n dryfkrag van industrialisasie geïdentifiseer, met groot potensiaal om tot die strukturele transformasie van die ekonomie by te dra.

Primêre produksie en verskeie landbouverwerkingsbedrywe is arbeidsintensief, wat 'n belangrike faktor ten opsigte van werkskepping is. Terselfdertyd bevorder landbouverwerkingsbedrywe die groei van klein en medium ondernemings, wat weer tot groter deelname aan die ekonomie en ekonomiese transformasie kan bydra.

Verwerkte uitvoer verbeter opbrengste

Op grond van groeiende opbrengste oor die afgelope paar jaar kan gemotiveer word vir verdere verwerking van die land se landbouprodukte vir die uitvoermark. Uitvoerwaarde per

Die uitbreiding van die landbouverwerkingsektor kan ook meer plaaslike waarde deur werksgeleenthede skep, veral vir ongeskoolde en halfgeskoolde werkers, en die potensiaal om landbouverwerkte invoer te vervang, verhoog.

Die onlangse prestasie van die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf teenoor die uitvoer van druiwe illustreer die motivering vir die uitbreiding van die land se landbouverwerkingsektor. Tussen 2018 en 2022 was die uitvoerwaarde van wyn per ton gemiddeld 2,5 keer meer as die druifuitvoerwaarde per ton. Op grond van hierdie resultate sal dit sinvol wees om meer op die verhoging van uitvoervolumes en wynverkope, of verwerkte druiwe in die vorm van sap of rosyne, to fokus.

’n Soortgelyke assessering is vir avokado’s en avokado-olie gedoen. Dit het aan die lig gebring dat Suid-Afrikaanse avokado’s oor die meeste uitvoermarkte as inset vir olieproduksie aangewend word. Dit regverdig dan dat die avokadobedryf sy olieproduksie uitbrei en met uitvoermarkte heronderhandel om die uitvoer van avokado-olie eerder as avokado's te prioritiseer.

Dit sal meer waarde vir Suid-Afrika lewer, aangesien die gemiddelde uitvoerwaarde per ton avokado-olie tussen 2018 en 2022 byna twee keer die uitvoerwaarde per ton van vars of gedroogde avokado’s was.

“Die uitdaging is natuurlik toegang tot finansiering en staatsondersteuning, maar privaatsektorfinansiering is geredelik deur die banksektor beskikbaar en toepaslike aansporings en finansieringsoplossings kan ingestel word om privaatbeleggings te lok,” sê John Hudson, Hoof van Landbou by Nedbank Kommersiële Banksake.

“Daarbenewens moet ander uitdagings, soos beurtkrag en infrastruktuurbeperkings, ook aandag kry sodat die landbouverwerkingsbedryf kan groei en floreer. Maar, as ons hierdie struikelblokke kan oorkom, het ek geen twyfel dat Suid-Afrika sy landbouprodukte kan benut om ’n toonaangewende deelnemer in die landbouverwerkingsektor te word nie.”

Sagtevrugtebedryf stel nuwe stigting bekend

Die toekoms van die Suid-Afrikaanse sagtevrugtebedryf lyk meer rooskleurig met die onlangse bekendstelling van die Hortgro Legacy Foundation (HLF). Die HLF poog om alternatiewe inkomstestrome te ontsluit om tradisionele befondsing met skenker- en verwante bydraes aan te vul vir ’n volhoubare toekoms vir die kern- en steenvrugbedrywe.

Volgens Hortgro se uitvoerende direkteur, Anton Rabe, moet kommoditeitsorganisasies wêreldwyd meeding in ’n vinnig veranderende wêreld en voortdurend meer met minder doen.

“Klimaatsverandering en uiterste weerstoestande gaan erger word. Plaaslik is ons op onsself aangewese. Ons moet produsente en landbouwerkers beskerm en die regte navorsing en tegnologie gereed hê vir die bedryf se toekoms.”

Angelo Petersen, HLF-voorsitter, sê die stigting sal op humanitêre welsyn, omgewingsrentmeesterskap, maatskaplike

opheffing, navorsing en vindingrykheid fokus.

“Selfs met die kleinste gebaar kan elke mens ’n positiewe rol in die wêreld hê en so ’n verskil maak. Só kan ons bydra tot ’n nalatenskap van hoop en inspirasie wat talle lewens kan aanraak en ’n beter toekoms vir almal verseker,” sê Petersen.

Nicholas Dicey, Hortgro-voorsitter en HLF-trustee, sê die landboubedryf moet rats wees om met vinnige veranderinge mee te ding. Bedryfsorganisasies moet toegang tot alternatiewe inkomstestrome hê.

“Die Hortgro Legacy Foundation is geensins ’n duplisering van bestaande strukture nie. Die fokus sal wees op navorsing, tegnologie en humanitêre welsyn – binne die volhoubaarheidsfeer. Ons weet dat 'n sterk landboubedryf help om landelike stabiliteit en sosio-ekonomiese ontwikkeling te skep – iets wat ons land nou bitter nodig het.”

Datacentrix wins Agrimark award

Datacentrix, a hybrid ICT systems integrator and managed services provider, has been recognised as Agrimark’s Supplier of the Year for Information Management in 2023.

A subsidiary of the KAL Group, Agrimark has served farmers, families and friends for more than 100 years, providing a trusted, one-stop shopping destination for a range of quality agricultural and lifestyle products across more than 160 outlets in South Africa and Namibia. The recent event marked Agrimark’s 12th annual Supplier of the Year Awards ceremony.

According to Charl Graham, Agrimark’s Group Manager: Information Management, the company works with approximately 100 suppliers on the information management side, with around 20 of these partners considered strategic to the business, which has a direct effect on its success.

“The information management division measures its suppliers monthly, based on several parameters. These include ease of doing business, which looks more at the administrative side of the partnership, what the supplier has done over the month to build on the long-term relationship with Agrimark, and their responsiveness,” states Graham. “In addition, we look at innovation, as Agrimark relies heavily on its

partners to bring fresh thinking and ideas to the table in their areas of expertise, as well as the business’s ethics.

“IM also puts together a type of ‘magic quadrant’ for its suppliers, measuring their performance on one axis and the type of work each one completes on the other. Datacentrix steadily remains within the top right quadrant of our graph as a company that not only performs consistently but also one that we will continue to partner with wherever there are opportunities.

“With Datacentrix, we have the assurance that our branch managers can open their stores daily without giving a second thought to connectivity, availability, access to the right systems, or anything else ICT-related; it just works,” Graham continues. “The company has implemented an excellent architecture and refresh strategy for Agrimark, allowing for a technology lifespan of around eight years between our primary and secondary data centre environments.”

Francois de Kock, Datacentrix Senior Account Manager in the Cape region says Datacentrix provides the organisation with its enterprise architecture design, supply, maintenance and support services, and have enjoyed an open, honest partnership with Agrimark over several years.

Die winsgewende, kostebesparende byvoegmiddel vir gebruik in boordgewasse

Die hoofdoel van byvoegmiddels is om te sorg dat gewasbeskermingsproduke (GBPe) hul volle potensiaal bereik en doeltreffend is. Byvoegmiddels beskerm GBPe teen swak waterkwaliteit, verhoog die bedekking van spuittoedienings en verbeter die aktiwiteit van kontak- en sistemiese produkte op die blaar.

Vivian Butler

VILLA LANDBOUKUNDIGE

Brian de Villiers

VILLA BYVOEGMIDDELKONSULTANT

Dit verminder gevolglik die invloed van eksterne faktore sodat GBPe meer stabiel oor verskeie omgewings presteer Daar is selfs byvoegmiddels wat meer as een van die genoemde funksies verrig. Dit gebeur egter selde dat ‘n byvoegmiddel doeltreffendheid verhoog terwyl dit ook insetkoste bespaar. MASTERLOCK®, die jongste Villa-byvoegmiddel, is juis so ‘n produk en kan saam met verskeie GBPe in boordgewasse toegedien word.

Verhoogde doeltreffendheid

INTERLOCK® word reeds jare lank saam met onkruiddoders in rygewasse gebruik om bedekking te verbeter. Dit is die volgende produk in die reeks wat vir bespuiting in boorde en wingerd gebruik word. Dit is ‘n neerslag-hulpmiddel wat die ultrafyn spuitdruppels aanpas sodat daar meer druppels van die ideale grootte is. Gevolglik is daar meer bedekking op alle hoogtes en dieptes van die blaredak. Doeltreffendheid berus op getalle - hoe meer druppels die teiken bereik, hoe groter is die kans op goeie beheer. Dit verlaag ook wegdrywing van die ultrafyn druppels, gevolglik is daar minder verlies na aangrensende gewasse. Die olie-komponent in MASTERLOCK® verminder die verdampingstempo van druppels, wat ‘n direkte positiewe uitwerking op insek- en swambeheer het.

Die produk bevat egter ook ‘n volle dosis eiesoortige nieioniese benatter wat die spuitdruppels se oppervlakspanning verlaag. Dit beteken dat daar minder druppels afspat en beter verspreiding op die blaar gee, wat tot verhoogde bedekking en doeltreffendheid bydra.

Die middel se benatter vervul egter ook ‘n kritieke rol op die blaar. Dit skep ‘n ideale omgewing in die spuitdruppelneerslag vir beide kontak- en sistemiese GBPe. Hierdie produkte moet vir lang tydperke op die blaar vertoef om doeltreffend te wees. Die benatter en olie in MASTERLOCK® beskerm GBPe en laat voldoende tyd vir die opname van sistemiese produkte toe. Sodoende word insek- en swamdoders se doeltreffendheid verder verhoog om die beheer van peste en plae te optimaliseer.

Die aansprake oor die middel word ondersteun deur hoogs wetenskaplike data uit windtonnels in die Verenigde State van Amerika asook deur verskeie plaaslike proefnemings. Gereelde toetse met die DropSight-tegnologie word plaaslik uitgevoer vir optimale bedekking en beheer. MASTERLOCK® het ‘n uitgebreide etiket en dit is met verskeie Villa GBPe in boordgewasse geregistreer.

Koste- en tydsbesparing

‘n Sitrusprodusent van Letsitele is bygestaan om die hoë watervolume wat hy met sy GBPe toedien, met MASTERLOCK® te verlaag. Vir die proefneming is MASTERLOCK® met ‘n minerale olie vergelyk en twee verskillende watervolumes is toegedien. Gewoonlik spuit die produsent met ‘n ratspoed van 3-laag vir voldek. Met hierdie proefneming wou die bedekking van die GBPe bepaal word indien dit op ‘n vinniger ratspoed van 1-medium gespuit word.

Om die resultate te evalueer is UVIEW (fluoresserende kleurstof) saam met die byvoegmiddels in die tenk gevoeg en die resultate is met die DropSight-toepassing bevestig. Die gemiddelde bedekking (“percentage fluorescent particle coverage” of %FPC) wat met MASTERLOCK® verkry is, was amper twee keer soveel as die van olie. MASTERLOCK® het ook beter bedekking gebied teen die laer watervolume versus die hoë volume (Figuur 1).

Die gevolge hiervan is verreikend. Nie net is hoër bedekking met ‘n laer watervolume spuit verkry nie, maar die besparing in

Figuur 1: Die effek van MASTERLOCK® op % bedekking by twee verskillende watervolumes.

Die winsgewende, kostebesparende byvoegmiddel vir gebruik in boordgewasse

VAN BLADSY 10

tyd en geld is enorm. Berekeninge is gemaak om te bepaal wat dit beteken om die watervolume ietwat te verlaag. Die water wat per hektaar toegedien is, is tussen die twee ratte bepaal. Die spuit (Bateleur) se lewering teen 20 Bar en 540 rpm is ook bepaal. Die spasiëring van die sitrusbome was 7x3 m.

Met die laer rat is 9 634 L/ha toegedien, en met die hoër rat 8 544 L/ha. Dit is gevolglik 1 090 L minder water per hektaar (11%) wat met die hoër rat toegedien is, 10 900 L minder per 10 ha, 109 000 L minder per 100 ha, en net oor ‘n miljoen liter minder water per 1 000 ha.

Dit is egter die tydsbesparing wat die oë behoorlik laat rek. Die tydverskil oor 100 m was slegs 14 sekondes tussen die twee ratte, maar oor ‘n hektaar maak dit ‘n verskil, nie eers gepraat van groter oppervlaktes nie. Met die vinniger rat word 6 minute 40 sekondes per hektaar gespaar, 1 uur 6 minute per 10 ha, 11 ure en 6 minute per 100 ha, en 111 ure en 6 minute oor 1 000 ha.

Met minder water wat per hektaar toegedien word, word tyd ook bespaar deur minder te hervul. Vier minder tenks per 10 ha word benodig, 40 minder tenks per 100 ha, en 400 minder tenks per 1 000 ha. Indien dit 10 minute vir ‘n trekkerdrywer neem om na die naaste waterpunt toe te ry, vol te maak en terug te ry voordat hy weer kan begin spuit, sal dit hom 40 minute langer neem om teen die hoër watervolume 10 ha te spuit, 6 ure 40 minute vir 100 ha, en 66 ure 40 minute vir 1 000 ha.

Die totale tydsbesparing vir spuit en volmaak is dus 1 uur 46 minute per 10 ha, 17 ure 46 minute per 100 ha, en 177 ure 46 minute per 1 000 ha. Om dit in perspektief te stel, neem dit

Tsewe dae minder om deur ‘n boord van 1 000 ha te beweeg indien elke dag 24 uur lank gespuit word.

Heelwat diesel- en meganisasiekoste word ook gespaar deur minder water te gebruik. Met ‘n gemiddelde afstand van 500 m na die naaste waterpunt, word 4 km minder gery om 10 ha teen die laer watervolume te spuit, 40 km minder om 100 ha te spuit en 400 km minder om 1 000 ha te spuit.

Vanselfsprekend is daar ‘n kostebesparing met die GBPe. Neem kennis dat hierdie produkte slegs die Villa GBPe insluit, omdat geen aansprake en aanbevelings oor ander produkte gemaak word nie. Hou egter altyd noukeurig binne die etiketriglyne.

MASTERLOCK® is ‘n unieke byvoegmiddel wat die doeltreffendheid van bespuitings verhoog terwyl dit ook kostebesparing kan bewerkstellig. Dit is egter van wesenlike belang om te besef dat dié kostebesparing slegs vir baie hoë watervolumes geld waar daar ruimte vir vermindering is. Dit is geensins van toepassing op laer volumes nie en dit moet oordeelkundig in samewerking met ‘n Villa-bemarkingsadviseur toegepas word. Die onverantwoordelike vermindering van watervolume is roekeloos en dit sal die doeltreffendheid van die bespuiting nadelig beïnvloed. Kontak die Villa-bemarkingsadviseur vir meer inligting of stuur ‘n WhatsApp na 011 396 2233.

MASTERLOCK® registrasiebesonderhede: Reg. No. L 10496, Wet No. 36 van 1947. Aktiewe destanddeel: gemodifiseerde groente-olie (889 g/ℓ) + ander bestanddele. Waarskuwing: Veroorsaak oogirritasie. Skadelik indien ingeasem. Registrasiehouer: WinField Solutions Registration Holdings (Mpy) Bpk. Mpy. Reg. No. 2015/312008/07, Posbus 10413, Aston Manor 1630, Suid-Afrika. Tel. 011 396 2233. Lees altyd die etiket.

Vietnam market is now open to South African oranges

he Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA) announced a new bilateral protocol, opening the Vietnamese market to South African oranges.

The opening of this market offers an export potential of 15 000 tons of oranges. This will translate into more job opportunities and revenue generation, says the CGA.

This historic protocol, a testament to the power of collaboration, comes almost a decade after a change in Vietnamese import regulations necessitated a new protocol. DALRRD, the CGA, and Citrus Research International, a subsidiary of the CGA, have worked together to ensure local citrus growers will benefit from increased market access. Their united efforts have paved the way for this milestone.

Opening new export opportunities to drive export-led inclusive growth of the agricultural sector is part of the Department’s strategy and commitment to support farmers. Minister Thoko Didiza reaffirmed this position in 2023 when she addressed the CGA's Citrus Summit, encouraging the industry players to work with the Department to expedite greater market access for citrus in the East.

Vietnam and South Africa have since agreed on phytosanitary necessities. A recent final adjustment was the removal

of two pests from the official pest list. The plant protection department of the ministry of agriculture and rural development of Vietnam set a new cold treatment protocol in the phytosanitary import requirements document.

According to the CGA the opening of the Vietnamese market is a major win for the citrus industry, heralding a future of potential growth and prosperity. This is especially true considering that the South African citrus industry has the potential to increase its exports from 165 million to a staggering 260 million cartons in the next eight years if all role-players work together as envisioned in the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP). One carton is equivalent to 15 kilogram.

DALRRD and the CGA expressed their gratitude to the ministry of agriculture and rural development of Vietnam. The supply of South Africa’s oranges to Vietnam is not just a business transaction, but a testament to the mutual benefits and goodwill that can be fostered through international cooperation in the agricultural sector.

Citrus Growers welcomes new chairperson

The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) welcomed Gerrit van der Merwe as the new chairperson of its Board.

Gerrit van der Merwe has been the Managing Director of ALG Estates (ALG) for the last six years. ALG is situated in Citrusdal and comprises of several citrus farms with a proud history. Van der Merwe’s family has been farming on the upper reaches of the Olifants River Valley for eight generations. At eight, Van der Merwe started doing holiday work on his father’s farm, cementing a lifelong passion for citrus.

After studying accounting, Van der Merwe worked in the citrus industry in the United States. He returned to ALG in 2008 to join the team.

Commenting on his new role as chairperson for the next two years, Van der Merwe said being part of a family agribusiness, he feels a great responsibility of stewardship.

“It would be best if you aimed to leave an endeavour in a better state than how it was entrusted to you, not just in terms of finances and assets but also in terms of improving it by focusing on the wider community. A citrus farm, just like the citrus industry, is made up of a collection of hard-working people who believe in contributing to the South African economy through working the land. It is one of my goals to make citrus more community-centered and hopefully contribute in that way.”

Van der Merwe added that this sense of community and unity was on display in July last year when a devastating flood caused damage of nearly R500 million to growers in the Citrusdal Valley. All role-players came together to rebuild and look towards the future.

The CGA Board comprises 23 directors. The directors rep-

resent 15 different grower regions, with two representing emerging farmers in the Southern and Northern regions, a director of government relations, and a director who heads up the finance and risk review committee.

CGA CEO Justin Chadwick congratulated Van der Merwe on his appointment and said he brings a lot of energy and enormous experience to this essential role.

“He knows the business of citrus through and through. His leadership will be appreciated. This is a critical and decisive time for South African citrus. The industry made huge investments in plantings a few years ago, and we are seeing crop sizes increase accordingly. Projections show we can export an additional 100 million 15 kg cartons of citrus within the next eight years if all role-players work together. This can create 100 000 new jobs and generate billions in foreign earnings. But some challenges must be addressed urgently to achieve this goal.”

Van der Merwe highlighted poor logistics and market access as the two challenges that concern him currently.

“Our rail network and ports need to be much more efficient, and unfair EU trade regulations need to be fought. These two obstacles stand in the way of the industry. As chairperson I have a team of dedicated and talented CGA board members behind me. We are all focused on how we can work with the government to ensure the industry will firstly retain and then increase jobs and revenue.”

MEANS

chairperson

Gerrit van der Merwe

Citrus export estimates show growth amid challenges

The 2024 citrus export season, a pivotal period for the industry, is set to commence. In a significant development, the variety of focus groups of the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) unveiled their anticipated export volumes for the upcoming season at the esteemed citrus marketing forum.

Despite the challenges, the CGA expect a notable surge in export volume. This is a testament to the spirit of South African citrus growers, who are ramping up production under adverse conditions, including soaring input costs, load shedding, and crumbling public infrastructure. The projected increase is also attributed to the maturation of younger trees across various regions.

The following estimates have been provided for the 2024 season:

• The current prediction is that 37,9 million (15 kg) cartons of Lemons will be exported to key markets, an increase of 7% over 2023. This continues the upward curve of Lemon exports, which has more than doubled since 2016.

• Figures for oranges are also expected to be up. Predictions show a 4% increase in export volume for Navel oranges, with 25,6 million (15 kg) cartons scheduled to be packed. After two years of suppressed Valencia orange exports, production will likely improve in 2024 and return to the long-term trajectory. An increase in 2023 export volumes of 12% to 58 million (15 kg) cartons is projected. However, the orange focus group highlighted that, due to substantially higher returns expected for fruit being supplied to local processors, exports could be reduced by up to 5%. This has not been factored into the forecast of 58 million cartons.

• Grapefruit exports are also predicted to increase to the long-term average. The 14% growth figure translates into 16,7 million (15 kg) cartons. The increased export volume can partly be ascribed to processing fruit (PP class) being exported to China again, which was not the case in 2023.

• The Satsuma season is likely to close around the 1,7 million mark (up 16%), while Clementines and Novas are expected to reach 5,4 million (up 8%) and 4,5 million (up 8%), respectively. It is too early to tell what the late mandarin crop will be at this stage, and a total estimate will be available later in the season.

According to the CGA, the quality of the fruit for 2024 looks to be excellent, and the timing for harvesting is expected to be typical. Recent dry conditions in the northern growing regions could mean that fruit sizes might be smaller than in 2023, but late rains could change this. Regular meetings with various focus groups are held to track estimates, and any final data on fruit sizes will be communicated when available.

In the 2023 export season, Southern African citrus growers packed 165,1 million (15 kg) cartons for delivery to global markets. While this was an increase of approximately 800 000

cartons from the packed figures of 2023, it was substantially below the long-term anticipated growth curve. If all role-players work together, the industry can reach the target of 200 million cartons in the next four years and possibly 260 million cartons by 2032.

The CGA says it is important to note that while volumes are increasing, this does not automatically mean an increase in the profitability or viability of many citrus farms, given the steep increases in input costs across the value chain.

While the increase in predicted export volumes for the 2024 season places the industry on a firmer trajectory to achieve these goals, severe challenges remain.

The European Union's discriminatory and unscientific phytosanitary regulations regarding citrus black spot (CBS) and false coddling moth (FCM) are a severe threat, as they could lead to South Africa being denied access to the European market. This market accounts for more than one-third of South African citrus exports. Given the high stakes, the CGA hopes the South African government will soon call for establishing an independent World Trade Organisation (WTO) panel to adjudicate the FCM matter. On CBS, the government must call for a WTO consultation process.

Inefficient logistics also remain a significant concern. Congestion at the ports has been holding back growth in the citrus sector and the SA economy at large. Transnet has been addressing port efficiency in the past months in collaboration with industry stakeholders and will continue to do so unabatedly. However, the fear remains that equipment breakdowns and related disruptions might influence exports this season.

The CGA views the expeditious introduction of the appointed private operator of Durban’s Pier 2 container terminal, International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), as critical. Any delays in expanding private sector involvement in port logistics will imperil the export economy.

The CGA remains cautiously hopeful about the coming season. Recent successes for the industry ahead of exports kicking off include the entry of global liner shipping company HapagLloyd into the SA shipping market and the expansion of the shipping options offered by global company MSC. A new bilateral protocol between South Africa and Vietnam has also been established, opening the Vietnamese market to South African oranges. This market is sized at 15 000 tons.

The CGA remains committed to working with all role-players, including the SA government, to ensure the continued inclusive growth of the sector and, in turn, create more jobs and revenue for the country.

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Citrus exports to India face challenges

IA Fruit SA delegation to the world's most populated country has heard that India’s growing taste for South African citrus could be boosted by import duty relaxation and implementing an in-transit cold chain, Justin Chadwick, chief executive of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA), said. At the same time, the quality of local fruit exported to India was well received, and traders had sounded an alarm about South Africa’s competitive position.

mport duties on South African fruit remain high while competitors negotiate free or preferential trade agreements. Chadwick says that if high import duties are not addressed while other countries reduce theirs, South Africa’s position will become less competitive.

“The other factor restricting expansion is the requirement that cold treatment cannot be done in transit. This is being addressed through trial shipments. If the trial shipments are successful, then in-transit cold treatment would be allowed.”

Over and above these concerns, Chadwick says South African fruit is doing well in India. Whereas South Africa was not visible in the market a few years ago, there is now South African pome and stone fruit promotional material on display throughout. He adds that it was a welcome surprise to the delegation to hear fresh produce traders singing the praises of South African fruit.

“In particular, these traders complimented South African producers on the quality in terms of colour, taste, size, shelf life and brix - a measure of the total soluble sugar solids present in fruit.”

Most importantly, South African pricing is hugely competitive, Chadwick says.Traders commented that there was a significant opportunity to grow in all categories of South African fruit, adding what varieties of Southern African fruit would be preferred.

According to Chadwick, it was particularly instructive how India, chaotic as it may seem to a foreign visitor, appears to operate on a level where nothing less than the best is acceptable to traders serving their country’s fast-growing consumer market.

Describing a daily market experience in India, whose pop-

ulation total overtook China’s early last year, Chadwick says huge delivery trucks jostle with small delivery trucks, motorbikes towing makeshift trailers weave in and out, bicycles seemingly impossibly laden with fruit and vegetables groan under the weight as the vendor battles to remain upright and as we advance, and individuals effortlessly glide through the masses with bowls balanced on their heads or piles of boxes on their shoulders.

“It is a kaleidoscope of colours and noise, all hustling to make a living from fresh produce. Here, you will learn what consumers think of your product. These traders either sell to the final customer or to hawkers who sell to the final customer. If the customer is unhappy, the fresh produce is returned and replaced. As a result, these traders know the best variety of the different fruit types and which country of origin is consistent in supplying good quality and shelf life.”

Justin Chadwick, chief executive of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa.

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Digging deeper: Insights into onion and beet cultivation

Onion and beet, two of South Africa's top 10 most produced and consumed crops, require producers to stay abreast of the latest production techniques. This is crucial for their success in delivering high-quality products that align with consumer demand and standards.

ONIONS

Onion cultivation holds immense potential for success. By optimising various agronomic practices, the producer can ensure robust vegetative growth, high yields, and superior quality of the harvested bulbs. These efforts can significantly contribute to the success of the onion industry.

During the vegetative growth stage of an onion (Allium cepa L.), leaves are rapidly growing to form the basic structure of the plant. Leaves are the extension of the outer foodstorage cells responsible for creating the scale leaves during maturity. The accumulation of carbohydrates for bulb formation is dependent on leaves, which serve as the plant's primary photosynthetic organ.

Once onion plants have reached the vegetative stage, it is essential to provide adequate support, as vegetative growth directly impacts bulb quality and yield. Different regions, irrigation practices, fertilizer guidelines, pest and disease management are all crucial factors to consider for optimal bulb harvest.

Production regions

The combined effect of temperature and daylight length is a limiting factor in adapting certain varieties in specific regions. Onion plants respond to temperature that induces the development of foliage. In hot areas, it is suggested that onion varieties be planted with excellent vigour.

These varieties react to high temperatures to form a lush leaf canopy that can support the developing bulb later in the cycle when daylight length is conducive for bulb development. Varieties not adapted to high temperatures will have a small plant frame. They will correspond to daylight length to form small “pickled” bulbs due to a shortage in the plant's photosynthetic ability.

An onion production field with a healthy leaf canopy.

Irrigation practices

Research have shown a positive correlation between water supply and total bulb yield. Onion is a shallow-rooted plant that requires frequent irrigation to achieve high foliar growth and subsequent good yield. Onion responds to water stress by reducing transpiration rates, photosynthesis, and growth.

Successful bulb and dry matter production is thus highly dependent on the appropriate water supply to support the developing leaf canopy. Irrigating lower quantities at a time more frequently ensures water availability throughout the root zone, increasing crop water availability and yield.

Fertilizer guidelines

Proper fertilizer guidelines are crucial as they directly affect plant growth, development and overall productivity. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for vigorous leaf growth and development. Nitrogen is also a component of chlorophyll that gives the leaves a healthy green colour. Phosphorus is responsible for capturing energy from the sun and converting it to carbohydrates that fuel plant development. Potassium is needed to translocate water, nutrients and carbohydrates in the plant. Micronutrients are essential for an immune response to protect your plant from harmful pests and diseases and the effects of extreme weather conditions.

The success of a fertilizer programme forms a basis for the “leaf-factory” development, providing adequate support for a growing bulb throughout the season.

Pest and disease management

Fungal diseases can cause necrosis of the leaves and may lead to loss of foliage prematurely. Downy mildew, purple blotch, and stemphylium leaf blight are three impactful fungal diseases. These foliar diseases produce lesions on the leaves, leading to loss of chlorophyll that reduces the amount of photosynthetic tissue, effectively producing sugars.

Infestation of common onion pests, like thrips, causes damage to chlorophyll that is easily identifiable by the fading of green colour on the leaves. A good pest and disease management programme is crucial in protecting the leaf canopy feeding the growing bulb.

Understanding the nature of the onion bulb growth starts by focusing on a healthy leaf canopy. This is also true in the cultivation of beetroot, where the vitality of the leaves is crucial for the overall success of the crop.

Strong leaves contribute to good bulb development and subsequent good yields.

BEETROOT

The vitality of beetroot leaves is crucial to get high-quality roots.

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is a biennial plant cultivated annually for commercial root production. The growth rate of beetroot is primarily influenced by its foliage. Initially, foliage development is slow, with the first leaves becoming visible after 8 to 10 days. Subsequently, foliage continues to develop until the canopy closes. Once the canopy is closed, energy metabolism shifts from leaf production to storing energy in the root.

Plant spacing

Research have shown that plant spacing significantly affects beetroot growth, quality and yield. Plant spacing directly impacts leaf height, spread and leaf count. The recommended plant spacing in rows is 3 cm with 20 cm between rows.

Fertilizer guideline

While beetroot seeds carry enough nutrients for germination, the plant requires soil nutrients for root and leaf development after the cotyledon stage. Moderate nitrogen (N) fertilizer promotes healthy growth and contributes to yield and quality. However, excessive nitrogen can lead to excessive canopy development at the expense of root sugars.

Beets also need moderate amounts of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). In cold soil, phosphorus deficiency can cause leaves to turn purple. Beets are sensitive to boron deficiency, which is noticeable in abnormal leaf development during the early stages.

Disease management

ROOT VEGETABLES

The leaf area plays a crucial role in light interception and photosynthesis efficiency. Fungal leaf diseases like leaf spot (Cercospora and Alternaria) and downy mildew affect the leaf area and overall plant growth. Preventative spraying and selecting disease-resistant varieties can help manage these diseases effectively.

Irrigation management

Proper irrigation management, especially during early leaf development, is vital. Light and regular irrigation maintains soil surface coolness. Depending on the scale, sprinklers, overhead systems, or pivot systems are recommended.

Adequate irrigation prevents seed emergence issues, which affect plant spacing, yield, and root quality. Beetroot's shallow root system requires consistent moisture in the top 30 cm of soil. Good drainage prevents red leaves and stunted growth. 300 to 350 mm of water is typically sufficient during the growing season.

For more information and tips on producing a successful onion and beet crop, visit the Sakata SA website at www. sakata.co.za

DISCLAIMER: This information is based on Sakata’s observations and/or information from other sources. As crop performance depends on the interaction between the genetic potential of the seed, its physiological characteristics, and the environment, including management, Sakata gives no warranty, express or implied, for the performance of crops relative to the information provided nor accepts any liability for any loss, direct or consequential, that may arise from what

Faktore in die sukses en mislukking van konvensionele plaagdoders

Produsente kyk voortdurend hoe hulle opbrengs, wins en kwaliteit kan verhoog. Omdat produsente nie beheer oor al die seisoen-uitdagings het nie, moet hulle die risiko’s bestuur. Jacques Fouché, Hooftegniesebestuurder van NexusAG gee raad.

Dit belangrik dat ’n holistiese benadering tot gewasbestuur gevolg word omdat elke seisoen verskil. Maatpas gewasbestuurprogramme wat unieke behoeftes in ag neem vorm die grondslag van volhoubare boerderybesighede.

Die doeltreffende werking van plaagdoders beïnvloed die winsgewendheid van landboubesighede. Dit is hier waar NexusAG se CropLife geakkrediteerde gewasadviseurs die produsent bystaan met gewasbestuur- en voedingsprodukte en tegniese ontledingsdienste wat die faktore wat die sukses van plaagbeheer beïnvloed monitor, interpreteer en die nodige aanpassings maak aan gewasbestuurprogramme deur die seisoen.

Dit blyk soms dat plaagdoders nie werk nie, maar die sukses van plaagdoders hang af van verskeie faktore wat in drie groepe verdeel word:

1. Interaksie tussen plaagdoder en omgewing soos mengwater, utraviolet (UV) strale, relatiewe humiditeit, temperatuur, wind en reënval.

2. Interaksie tussen plaagdoder en gewas soos gewasmorfologie, groei-tempo, blaardak eienskappe en plant metabolisme.

3. Interaksie tussen plaagdoder en teikenorganisme soos toksisiteit, dosis, weerstandontwikkeling, grootte pes/siekte inokulum, vermeerderingsvermoë en risiko vir skade.

Hou gerus die volgende in gedagte met betrekking tot elkeen van die faktore.

Interaksie tussen plaagdoder en omgewing

Watergehalte die eerste hekkie wat plaagbeheer kan laat sneuwel. Die etiket bevat spesifieke instruksies oor waterkwaliteit soos hardheid en pH asook hoe om dit aan te pas met buffer- en versagmiddels.

Sekere omgewings het ’n hoër ultraviolet (UV)-indeks as ander wat ook deur die loop van die jaar kan wissel. Sekere plaagdoders is sensitief vir UV-strale.

Onder toestande van lae humiditeit en hoë temperature kan die spuitneweldruppels vinnig verdamp voordat die aktiewe bestanddeel die plantoppervlak genoegsaam penetreer het. Relatiewe humiditeit (RH), hoër as 90% saam met hoë temperature kan die druppel te lank nat hou en so die risiko vir spuitneweldrywing verhoog. Die interaksie tussen RH en temperatuur word beskryf onder die term, Delta T.

Hoë windspoed verhoed die spuitnewel om die teiken te bereik. Ander faktore wat spuitneweldrywing beïnvloed, sluit in: druppelgrootte, spuithoogte, spuitspoed, lugtemperatuur en humiditeit, spuitvolumes.

Sekere aktiewe breek van nature vinniger af en verkort

die periode van gewasbeskerming wat in ag geneem word om te verseker dat genoegsame plaagdoder op of in die plant, of in die grond teenwoordig is vir effektiewe beheer.

Reën direk na spuit kan sekere aktiewe bestanddele van die plantoppervlakte afwas.

Interaksie tussen die plaagdoder en die gewas Gewasmorfologie, -groeitempo, en -metabolisme van die plant speel ook ’n rol. Trigome in tamaties en die wakslaag op uie, kan die werking van sekere aktiewe bestanddele benadeel. Vinnig-groeiende gewasse wat gereeld nuwe plantgroei toon, sal dus potensieel meer gereeld gespuit moet word.

Die blaardak kan wissel van yl tot dig en kan ’n impak op die eweredige verspreiding van die aktiewe bestanddeel op die gewas hê. Die blaardak en opleistelsel moet waar moontlik gemanipuleer word om ‘spuitvriendelik’ te wees.

Interaksie tussen plaagdoder en teikenorganisme

Plaagmiddels moet toksies vir die teikenorganisme wees om dit te beheer. Toksisiteit teenoor teikenorganisme verskil en daarom is dit nodig om ’n aktiewe bestanddeel met ’n hoë vlak van toksisiteit teenoor die teikenplaag te gebruik vir die beste resultate.

Dit is belangrik om die gepaste dosis van die aktiewe bestanddeel toe te dien om te verseker dat ’n die optimale hoeveelheid aktiewe bestanddeel op of in die plant, of in die grond teenwoordig is.

Teikenorganismes ontwikkel ’n toleransie of weerstand teen sekere aktiewe bestanddele. Die vlak van toleransie kan tussen geografiese areas en oor verloop van tyd verskil. Indien die plaag die vermoë het om oor `n kort tyd vinnig te vermeerder, kan dit die situasie vererger.

Geen gewasbeskermingsplan is 100% effektief nie en daarom moet plaagbestuur deeglik beplan en bestuur word met ekonomiese drumpelwaardes in ag genome. Sekere plae kan vinnig tot ekonomiese skade lei terwyl ander baie langer neem. Witroes op appels lei nie in een seisoen tot direkte ekonomiese skade nie, maar appelskurf, daarenteen wel. Peste soos Tuta absoluta (Phthorimaea absoluta) kan vinnig tot ekonomiese skade lei terwyl witluis meer geleidelik tot skade lei. Raadpleeg jou NexusAG gewasadviseur vir meer inligting.

Jacques Fouché, Hooftegniesebestuurder van NexusAG

DIE GRONDBEGINSEL VAN GOEIE

GEWASBESTUUR IS DAT PLAAGDODERS

DIE TEIKENORGANISME MOET BEREIK.

DAAROM IS DIE REGTE BEHEER OP DIE REGTE TYD MET

DIE REGTE MIDDEL EN TOERUSTING KRITIES.

Die sukses van plaagdoders hang af van verskeie faktore wat in drie groepe verdeel word, naamlik die:

INTERAKSIE TUSSEN DIE PLAAGDODER EN OMGEWING.

INTERAKSIE TUSSEN DIE PLAAGDODER EN GEWAS.

INTERAKSIE TUSSEN PLAAGDODER EN TEIKENORGANISME.

Die doeltreffende werking van plaagdoders beïnvloed die winsgewendheid van landboubesighede. Dit is hier waar NexusAG se CropLife geakkrediteerde gewasadviseurs die produsent bystaan met gewasbestuur- en voedingsprodukte en tegniese ontledingsdienste wat die faktore wat die sukses van plaagbeheer beïnvloed monitor, interpreteer en die nodige aanpassings maak aan gewasbestuurprogramme deur die seisoen.

NexusAG Croplife-geakkrediteerde gewasadviseurs bied maatpas gewasbestuursprogramme, wat elke produsent se unieke omgewing en spesifieke omstandighede in ag neem, om volhoubare oplossings te bied.

Macadamia nut prices rebound

Macadamia prices are recovering back from historic lows in 2023. As the 2024 harvest is about to commence in South Africa, a leading processor and exporter says there is optimism about the road ahead. However, industry experts caution that now more than ever, the sweet spot for macadamia nut prices needs to be established to keep the sector sustainable over the long term.

Global Macadamias, a leading processor and exporter based in South Africa, saw its sales team traverse the globe over the last few months, stopping in all the major macadamia nut markets in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the United States.

“The feedback we received was consistent: demand has increased, leading to higher prices,” says Roelof van Rooyen, director of Global Macadamias.

Indications across the market are that inshell and kernel prices for macadamias are set to rise by between 10% to 30% depending on crack out style, size and quality. Van Rooyen explained that after the world’s macadamia prices reached historic low levels in 2023, buyers, especially in China, rapidly bought up stock, clearing out warehouses.

“Since much inshell is being sent to China, demand for this segment is increasing, leading to higher prices. On the other hand, kernel stocks are set to remain low since more products are being sent in-shell to China. As we kick off the 2024 season on a clean slate, many buyers are finding that the supply of macadamias they thought would be there is not, and as such, prices are picking up in light of the low starting supply.”

While the lower prices stimulated demand and interest from product developers, this year’s price increase would continue this trend while also bringing greater sustainability to farmers and the industry.

“Even with the increase, prices are still a long way off from where they ideally need to be for sustainability in the industry. Even at this higher level, they are still attractive to product development. But to keep all players in the market operating sustainably, it is important to find a balance in pricing,” says Van Rooyen.

He believed the peak prices in 2018 would likely have diminished demand for macadamias because, at US$6 per kilogramme of in-shell, the industry was busy pricing itself out of the market.

“Last year’s prices, however, were not sustainable for growers. But I believe we are now entering a phase of greater stability in supply and demand, which bodes very well for the future of all macadamia nut stakeholders,” Van Rooyen says.

Inshell dynamics

Low macadamia prices paid last year have spurred many farmers to sell directly to China, which is the world’s largest buyer of in-shell macadamias. Buyers often offered immediate payments, aiding cash-strapped farmers. However, this has brought a concerning dynamic to the sustainability discussion.

Shane Hartman, CEO of Global Macadamias, cautioned against South Africa “exporting processing capacity” to China

to the detriment of the long-term sustainability of the local industry.

“Meeting China’s demand for macadamias was positive for the industry last year, as it helped to clear warehouse stocks. However, over the long term South Africa needs to maintain a robust processing industry so that we are not over-reliant on a single market, which, in the case of China, is increasingly becoming self-sufficient. We need to be able to service all markets, which means having sufficient processing capacity of our own.”

China saw a 50% increase in inshell imports in 2023. Some of this is cured and sold inshell, but much is processed to the kernel, mostly consumed locally.

“Global Macadamias has stringent quality testing in place. We have world-class food safety systems and teams overseeing the whole processing process. This is vital in maintaining stable demand for macadamias because the product can be trusted,” says Hartman.

Industry outlook

Despite the hard times many macadamia nut farmers face as prices fell in the last two years, the industry looks to be in better shape. The tough years, as tough as they are, are also good to help streamline businesses, making them more sustainable, noted Van Rooyen.

He believed that when comparing macadamias to other commodities, the nut still offers a good return on investment in the agricultural sector.

“The industry as a whole is healthy despite the price dip last year. We have some of the best farmers in the world, excellent processing facilities and good demand.”

South Africa’s crop is expected to increase by nearly 14% this year, from 78 091 tons of dry-nut-shell last year to 90 135 tons, keeping the country in the number one spot for macadamia nut production.

Global Macadamias is geared to increase processing capacity as the continent’s crop grows. This is a vital vision of the company, ensuring that nuts can be processed to supply a wide range of markets that maximise returns for the grower and quality for the buyer.

“We are in this industry for the long term,” says Van Rooyen. “Our outlook is optimistic, but we must use this window of opportunity to bring the industry into a state of maturity where all stakeholders can bank on stable, sustainable pricing and quality supply. This means continuing to streamline farming practices, trusting in the expertise of reputable processors and allowing the market to stabilise.”

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Moenie raai nie, meet is al manier om die aalwurmsituasie te bepaal

Aalwurmtoetsing is ’n lewenswyse vir Johan

Greyling, eienaar van die Aqua Farmingboerdery naby Christiana in Noordwes. “Hier by ons is die vraag nie óf ons aalwurm op ons aartappels gaan hê nie, maar net hoe erg dit hierdie seisoen gaan wees.” Om hierdie rede volg Greyling ’n standaard voorkomende program. Regstellende behandeling word egter deur toetsresultate bepaal.

Greyling het in 2011 vir aalwurm begin toets en dit het sedertdien ’n jaarlikse praktyk geword. Die eerste monsters word ongeveer ses weke ná plant geneem, wanneer die aartappelplante aktief groei. Omtrent twee weke nadat die regstellende behandeling toegedien is, word opvolgmonsters op dieselfde plekke geneem en weer getoets om seker te maak die probleem het voldoende aandag gekry.

“Ons probeer nie eers om sonder toetsing ’n aartappelseisoen aan te durf nie, die risiko is net te groot.”

Skadelike of plantparasitiese aalwurms is kalante wat moeilik is om te beheer, om nie eers van uitwis te praat nie, adviseer prof Driekie Fourie, wêreldbekende aalwurmkenner, tegniese produkleier by Syngenta Seedcare in Suid-Afrika en buitengewone professor aan die NWU.

“Die beste, eintlik enigste manier om die oes te beskerm, is om te weet waarmee jy te doen het nog voor jy plant. Dit is waarom produsente wortel- én grondmonsters op die regte tyd en die regte manier moet neem.

“Hierdie tyd van die jaar is ideaal om uit te vind wat onder die grond in lande aangaan. Sodra gewasplante begin afdroog en voor jy oes, is aalwurmontledings nodig om vir die volgende seisoen voor te berei.”

Bogrondse tekens is nie altyd genoeg om die teenwoordigheid van skadelike aalwurms betroubaar te identifiseer en die omvang van die probleem te bepaal nie. Daarbenewens is voorkoming altyd beter as genesing, veral met grondgedraagde plae en siektes wat saailinge aanval voordat hulle meganismes kon ontwikkel om hulself te beskerm.

Ervaring het prof Fourie geleer dat te veel produsente aalwurmtoetse ignoreer omdat hulle voel dit is te duur, of te veel moeite en te tydrowend, of omdat hulle glo hulle het nie ’n aalwurmprobleem nie.

“Die enigste manier om te weet is om te meet,” sê sy. “Veral in hierdie era van geïntegreerde plaagbestuur (IPM). Die toetse is nie goedkoop nie omdat dit deur opgeleide personeel gedoen word wat met gespesialiseerde toerusting werk, maar die koste is laer of ten minste vergelykbaar met dié vir kunsmisontledings en grondkartering. Dieselfde grondmonsters kan gebruik word om met bykomende koste die voordelige aalwurmbevolkings te bepaal, wat ‘n aanduiding van grondgesondheid is.”

VEGETABLES & FRUIT | MAY • JUNE 2024

NEEM AALWURMMONSTERS SÓ

Daar is ’n paar goue reëls in monsterneming om na te kom, maar die proses is eenvoudig.

• Neem monsters ongeveer ses tot agt weke (afhangend van die gewas) voor die oes afgehaal word, wanneer die gewas nog aktief groei en die aalwurms voed. Byvoorbeeld: ‘n aanduiding is dat wanneer oestyd aan die einde van Junie beplan word, monsters einde April tot middel Mei te neem. Grondmonsters wat in ‘n kaal land geneem is, het min of geen waarde in die stryd teen aalwurms. Die aalwurmbevolking in die huidige seisoen is ’n betroubare aanduiding van wat in die volgende seisoen verwag kan word, wat die produsent in staat stel om die nodige voorkomende stappe te neem. Koue winters is baie doeltreffend om aalwurmbevolkings uit te dun, maar ons winters is nie meer koud genoeg nie. Vertrou gevolglik eerder uitslae wat in die herfs geneem word.

• Moenie monsters neem nadat dit baie gereën het nie. Nie net is dit moeilik en morsig om in ’n deurweekte land te grawe nie, maar die resultate is nie werklik betroubaar nie.

• Neem wortel- (of ander plantmateriaal, bv. knolle) én grondmonsters. Endoparasiete kom in die wortels voor en ektoparasiete leef in die grond. Vir ’n volledige prentjie van die risosfeer is beide dus nodig.

• Een monster is nie genoeg om bruikbare resultate te kry nie, omdat heelwat faktore aalwurmdruk beïnvloed. ’n Maklike riglyn is om die land in vier blokke of segmente te verdeel en dan 10 monsters elk te neem in kolle met ongesonde/swak plante en 10 in kolle waar die plante gesond is. ’n Handvol grond (200 g tot 300 g) en ’n stewige stuk wortel/ander ondergrondse plantweefsel is al wat nodig is. Die goeie en swak monsters wat in een blok/segment geneem is, kan gekombineer word in twee van elk vir elke kategorie (swak en gesonde plante). Dit laat gevolglik vier monsters per segment en 16 per land. Dit maak die uitgawes vir aalwurmontledings meer kostedoeltreffend.

• Plaas die gekombineerde monsters in plastiese sakke en merk elkeen baie duidelik en noukeurig, byvoorbeeld Blok A (ongesonde/swak plante) en B (gesonde plante), en die datum.

• Sit die gemerkte monsters dadelik in geïnsuleerde houers sodat hulle uit die son gehou word en koel bly (nie yskoud of gevries nie). Hanteer ook die monsters versigtig, aangesien sommige aalwurmgroepe maklik beskadig word deur hardhandige hantering.

• Dit is baie belangrik om die monsters so gou as moontlik aan die naaste laboratorium te besorg – hoe varser hoe beter, maar beslis nie langer as twee dae na hulle geneem is nie.

Prof Driekie Fourie, wêreldbekende aalwurmkenner, tegniese produkleier by Syngenta Seedcare in SuidAfrika en buitengewone professor aan die NWU.

Suid-Afrika het verskeie betroubare aalwurmlaboratoriums wat ontledingsdienste lewer, onder meer in Potchefstroom, die Wes-Kaap, Pretoria, Nelspruit en Upington. Maak seker om ‘n laboratorium te gebruik wat bestuur word deur nematoloë wat by die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad vir Natuurwetenskaplike Beroepe geregistreer is. Die wetenskaplikes en ondersteuningspersoneel by sulke laboratoriums is volgens prof Fourie behoorlik opgelei en doen die regte toetse vir betroubare resultate.

Ontledings kos ongeveer R350 tot R400 per wortel- en grondmonster en duur gewoonlik tussen 8 en 14 dae, afhangend van hoe besig die laboratorium is en hoeveel monsters ingestuur word. Die verslag sal die bevindinge duidelik weergee en aandui hoe erg die besmetting is. Dit sal ook riglyne insluit oor wat gedoen behoort te word om skadelike aalwurmbevolkings te verminder. Spesifieke plantbeskermingsprodukte word nie genoem nie. Produsente kan ook die ontleder kontak vir meer inligting.

“Skadelike aalwurms is ‘n groot probleem in sanderige gronde en vir gewasse soos sonneblom en sojabone, groente, veral aartappels, wingerde en sagtevrugteboorde,” sê prof

Fourie. “Dieselfde geld vir industriële gewasse en blomme. Ons sien ook ernstige aalwurmskade aan gewasse in kleigronde. Gevolglik is die boodskap dat produsente al die beskikbare hulpmiddels moet gebruik om te verstaan waarmee hulle te doen het voor hulle in enige IPM-strategie belê, soos gewasrotasie, gewasbeskermingprodukte (insluitend saadbehandelings), en ander teen skadelike aalwurms.”

Voordele van saadbehandelings

• Behandelde saad is maklik om te gebruik omdat die aangekoopste saad reeds daarmee bedek is.

• Die gewas is van die begin af beskerm sodat die blootgestelde sade en jong, weerlose saailinge goed wegspring en die potensiaal het om tot sterk, gesonde plante te ontwikkel wat bo verwagte oeste kan lewer.

• Dit word in baie kleiner hoeveelhede toegedien oor ’n noemenswaardig kleiner deel van ‘n land, in vergelyking met die breedwerpige toediening of blaarbespuitings.

• Dit dra tot volhoubare gewasproduksie by deur die bewaring van noodsaaklike hulpbronne soos grond, water en lug te ondersteun.

• Dit het geen of die minimum nadelige uitwerking op voordelige, nie-teikenorganismes wat belangrike take in grond verrig, en dus in harmonie is met die natuur.

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Water quality concerns and contingencies

Time spent in the field this irrigation season has alerted the Netafim Field Team of the extremely poor and worsening quality of available irrigation water in certain areas.

According to Dexter Neethling, Product Manager at Netafim South Africa, water quality has noticeably deteriorated this summer. This statement is based on visual assessments of filters during filter maintenance in-season. Various organisms growing inside a working filter, where there is no light and high pressure, were found for the first time. Many of these filters were assessed in the Western Cape, but the trend of declining water quality is not limited to this province. There are two phenomena at work related to deteriorating water quality. Firstly, there is a definite trend of water quality worsening year by year. This can, of course, be attributed to many factors.

Willem Smit, National Sales Manager at Netafim South Africa, reports discussions concerning the long-term decline in water quality, which is attributed to a long list of negative aspects. Some of these factors are due to poor municipal management, some due to poor farming practices and others due to climaterelated matters.

Reported causes of declining water quality include:

• Poorly functioning municipal sewage systems that lead to sewage ending up in rivers and dams.

• Informal settlements next to riverbanks that lead to pollution of rivers or dams, as well as groundwater.

• Increased growth of invasive plant species on water surfaces, killing the natural life in the water.

• Poor quality borehole water used for agricultural irrigation due to increased agricultural expansion and drought conditions. This has a negative impact on natural water resources.

• Over irrigation and the negative effect of drainage water and leaching.

• Climate change that leads to extreme weather events. Extremely high rainfall, for example, fills dams with a high concentration of organic material.

• Mining and industrial effluent water contaminating natural water resources.

Irrigation farmers face the second phenomenon during the irrigation season. As resources are used during the season, water quality from the relevant water source often declines as the concentration of quality-reducing properties increases.

Charl van Reenen, Agronomy Manager at Netafim South Africa, explains that the latest irrigation season experienced in the Western Cape is a good example of this phenomenon. He shares his theory as a possible explanation for the extremely poor water quality experienced in certain areas of the Western Cape this summer.

“I believe it can be attributed to the high rainfall last winter and the very long, dry and windy summer we are now experiencing. During the winter months, all the dams filled up after the high rainfall. High quantities of organic material and leached elements ended up in these dams. Farmers started irrigating as the irrigation season commenced, and the water extraction rate from dams increased. As the rate of water extraction increases, the extraction rate may exceed the refilling rate of dams and reservoirs.

“This means that dams and reservoirs remain half-full during the hot spells in the season. These low dam levels create ideal growing conditions for organisms such as algae, leading to higher occurrences of algae blooms and a generally higher load of organic material in the water source.”

According to Van Reenen, this occurrence was a significant problem during the irrigation season that led to several challenges with filtration.

Water quality and agriculture

Successful agricultural irrigation entirely depends on adequate water availability and a quality fit for crop irrigation. As agricultural practices become more intensive and pressure on water sources continues to increase, more and more questions about water quality are being raised. Water allotment concerns, the quantity and quality of water available to agriculture, and the pressure on agriculture to reduce water can and must be debated from political, geographical, climate-related and many other perspectives. Two key facts are of concern. Firstly, the water available for irrigation is often of poorer quality, and secondly, farmers must be increasingly precise in the way they use water.

Examples of a high load of physical contaminants in water caught in the discs of irrigation filters.

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Water quality concerns and contingencies

FROM PAGE 26

The greatest concerns with poor quality irrigation water are damage to the crop and soil on the one hand and damage to the irrigation system on the other hand. The most significant concerns with poor quality irrigation water are damage to the crop and soil on the one hand and damage to the irrigation system on the other hand. In the drive towards increased use of precision irrigation, based on increasing water scarcity and burgeoning input costs, it is essential to focus on water quality, understanding water quality, and water quality management.

Understanding water quality

The concept of water quality concentrates on the physical, chemical, and biological properties that will determine whether it is fit for various uses. In irrigation, these factors will determine crop suitability, irrigation system selection, the risk of emitter clogging, filtration requirements and fertigation. The composition and quality of water are complex, and a range of factors must be considered. The parameters that determine water’s suitability for irrigation are:

• pH

• Salinity

• Hardness

• Alkalinity

• The ratio of sodium, calcium, and magnesium

• The concentration of specific minerals

• Total dissolved solids

• Total suspended solids.

Water quality and precision irrigation

A successful farming enterprise is one of the most complex economic activities, as success depends on such a wide-ranging list of factors that any attempt to compile a complete list would be futile. Irrigation is but one aspect of planning and execution and depends on a massive diversity of factors.

Irrigation planning and execution will be based on data from the long list of necessary analyses and decisions made during the holistic project planning phase. Water analysis is one of these. Very importantly, a properly designed and planned irrigation system that is managed correctly must ensure total control of water and nutrition delivery and levels. Such a system must accommodate all the variables impacting a farming enterprise, be it soil types, climatic conditions, water quality, energy availability, etc. A holistic approach is crucial in this regard.

Farmers and industry role players must remember that no

irrigation or filtration decisions can be made without sufficient knowledge of the water source and water quality. When embarking on developing an irrigation system for a new development, one of the first questions asked will be about the quality of the available water. This is why a water analysis must be done as part of the planning phase of any crop project. Furthermore, it is essential to continuously monitor water quality as quality may vary during the production period as seasons and other influencing factors change.

The irrigation industry sets important standards for water analysis and irrigation water suitability in its Irrigation Design Manual, published by the Agricultural Research Council and The Water Research Commission in cooperation with other industry bodies. It is imperative, says Van Reenen, to adhere to these standards.

“A farming operation is a massive investment; therefore, every necessary step must be taken in planning, execution, and management to protect this investment. Furthermore, there is a lot of pressure on farmers to uphold food security as populations continue to increase. We cannot afford failed farming operations due to steps that are skipped and standards that are ignored. Be sure to involve the necessary experts in the planning process of the irrigation system and greater crop project planning.”

Speaking of standards, Neethling says it is essential that filtration standards are strictly adhered to when selecting an irrigation filtration system.

“The poor water quality experienced this season once again proves the importance of proper filter selection and knowing what water quality you are working with before designing your irrigation system. Filtration requirements must be communicated by the irrigation system manufacturer, specifically the emitter. It is crucial that these filter requirements are obeyed as it will ensure the longevity and optimal operation of the system. In addition, do not neglect the filtration guidelines communicated by the manufacturer of irrigation filters.

“Finally, remember the importance of using quality filtration systems. Do not cut corners when planning the filtration section of an irrigation system. The filtration’s success will determine the system's efficiency and sustainability.

“Do not allow filters to cause a weak link in a well-designed system.”

Filtration and beyond

A filter’s job is to prevent solid particles of a predetermined size and larger from entering the irrigation system. The goal is to protect the emitter and the efficiency of the entire system. As water passes through the filter, unwanted solid particles, be it disc, screen, or media, are caught in the selected filter types.

Asked how filtration is influenced by deteriorating water

quality, Neethling confirms that quality irrigation filters will be able to deal with the situation easily if these filters are selected according to the correct standards, installed correctly, operated to standard and properly maintained.

“Maintenance plays a crucial role in the filtration of irrigation water and becomes even more important as water quality deteriorates. Poorer water quality will mean that your filter is working harder and must backflush more often. This increases wear and tear on the filter. It is important to go through the

TO PAGE 30

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Water quality concerns and contingencies

FROM PAGE 29

maintenance checklist frequently and determine if any problems can be handled preventatively to prevent future problems, inefficient operation or even breakdowns. This further includes proactive and reactive maintenance actions such as doing peroxide treatments on filters to combat the organism growth in the filter.”

Beyond filtration, practical system design and installation aspects can assist in managing the quality of irrigation water that enters the system. Neethling explains that installations are often encountered where the suction point is installed at the bottom of the dam.

“This automatically leads to poorer water quality as particles that have settled in the dam are sucked into the system. A solution such as a floating suction point makes a massive difference. Wind direction must also be considered when positioning the suction point. The suction point must be positioned on the side of the dam from which the wind most commonly comes. As the wind blows over the dam, particles are collected, if the suction point is positioned at the other end of the dam, these particles will be sucked into the irrigation system.”

Van Reenen adds that many aspects of poor water quality cannot be improved with filtration. “High EC, or a high occurrence of total dissolved solids (TDS), can only be treated with reverse osmosis. This is, however, not a feasible solution in the agricultural industry due to scale and cost. If the problem concerns elements such as iron and manganese, the problem can be treated with a practical solution.”

He explains that the water must be exposed to oxygen as long as possible before it is used for filtration. This gives the elements the necessary time to oxidise, flocculate and settle in the dam or other water source. This can be managed by aerating the water source and/or having a settling dam on the farm.

Challenges such as the high occurrence of silt can also be managed with a settling dam and giving the silt sufficient time to settle in the dam.

The management of water on the farm, of course, goes be-

yond what has been discussed here and includes a long list of possible actions that can be taken to solve the problem at hand. The farmer can face many challenges during the season. This may include algae blooms, increased sand loads in water and more.

As discussed here, the tip of the iceberg reminds us of the importance of involving the necessary experts in the planning phase of crop development and operation and maintenance in case of unusual problems. It further reminded of the value of a strong irrigation industry that sets the necessary standards for excellence, leading irrigation companies making advanced technologies available, and research bodies that support the industry with increased in-depth knowledge.

If producers are not proactive in managing water resources sustainably, dire consequences will follow. Water scarcity and declining water quality risk social order, food and economic security, and human existence. Producers can only take the lead in this regard as a united industry. Massive value lies in strategic partnerships among agribusinesses to ensure sustainable agriculture. The industry must dare to partner for success, make it happen and finally create an impact.

The ability of the filter to remove solid particles from water has little to no effect in the case of certain physical, chemical, and biological factors occurring in the available water. In these cases, prefiltration and/or pre-treatment will be necessary to ensure the suitability of the water for irrigation use.

This includes conditions such as the follwing:

Physical

• High sand load greater than 2 ppm

• Very high sand load greater than 20 ppm

• High total suspended solid load (TSS) greater than 150 ppm.

Biological

• Algae bloom threat

Chemical

• High iron content greater than 0,3 ppm in underground water or greater than 0,8 ppm in surface water

• High manganese content greater than 0,3 ppm in underground water or greater than 0,3 ppm in surface water.

E-mail: freshproduce@tshwane.gov.za www.tshwane.gov.za/tshwanemarket/

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First Technology is bridging the gap between one of the oldest industries in the world and the endless wonders of modern and emerging technology. Through infrastructure transformation and a seamless digital ecosystem of traditional and cloud-based offerings, our holistic range of industry-leading solutions offers tremendous flexibility and can be scaled to address the needs of both SMMEs and Large Enterprises.

Evolve your business and become a global competitor.

From warehouse modernisation and streamlining the exportation process, to automating governance and compliance procedures, our solutions will liberate your workforce from menial responsibilities, significantly cut down operational costs and provide your business with the ability to quickly adapt to market demands and needs.

Get in touch with Mandy McEvoy at mandym@firsttechnology.co.za or call us directly on 021 525 7000.