Apples and pears provide major export opportunity RAY SMUTS PROTOCOLS permitting the export of fruit between countries do not come about with rapid, sleight-of-hand movements, which explains Charles Hughes’ exasperation at stumbling blocks barring access to international markets. “The problem we face is a greater commitment from government side in getting our fruit to China,” says Hughes, CEO of Tru-Cape which is responsible for 55% of this country’s total apple and pear production - two thirds earmarked for export. Hughes says there is much talk these days about Chinese textiles in the South African context but there’s a slight difference when it comes to fruit, given that the populous Asian country with more than one billion people has no real interest in South Africa, with its relatively small fruit market. “It is, however, important for us to gain access to that market, thereby developing a huge export opportunity for South Africa. “One has to learn to live within the bounds of the existing exchange rate and it’s not a question of a lack of new foreign markets but most important, access to the correct varietals. “All we seek is that South Africa makes every effort to ensure we have access to these markets through establishing the necessary protocols.” With per capita annual consumption of 16kg of apples a year, China produces 22 million tons (35% of world production) as opposed to South Africa’s 3% contribution, and 10 million tons, or 56%, of annual global pear volumes. Somerset West-based Tru-Cape, 50/50 owned by Ceres Fruit Growers and Two-a-Day Fruit, has two proper plant propagation agreements with China, involving mostly apple varieties such as Fuji and Royal Gala, and about six varieties of pears. Being a contra-season (southern hemisphere) producer to China provides South Africa with a short window of opportunity to import some Chinese fruit, aimed primarily at the local Chinese community. Hughes recalls when China joined the World Trade Organisation some four years ago, it wanted access to South African apples and pears and was also agreeable to receiving grapes. “I am not in the grape business but can assure you we are talking millions of cartons and in that way Tru-Cape would be exploring the possibility of handling a portion of those exports. “Our objective once the grape contract is signed is to encourage our government to facilitate as rapidly as possible an agreement to export apples which, unlike citrus, do not require in-transit sterilisation.” As exciting as China export prospects may be, Tru-Cape’s major markets still lie in Europe and the UK, accounting for some 70% of total volumes or just over seven million 12.5kg cartons. The company turns over around R500 million a year and almost 50% of its apples are destined for Capespan, still South Africa’s largest global marketer of export fruit.
