Market demand is strong for South African cherries

South Africa’s cherry growers are smiling this year. Despite a short crop, and likely a short season, exporters say quality and sizing is excellent, amid increasing demand from international markets. “Demand is shifting from the UK to the Middle and Far East,” says Calla du Toit, procurement manager at Tru-Cape. As one of the country’s top cherry exporters and marketers, Tru-Cape and other leading companies such as Dutoit Marketing see great opportunities to grow exports of the fruit, especially while international currencies remain strong against the rand. “Malaysia, Vietnam and Hong Kong are certainly on the rise as markets for our wonderful cherries,” Du Toit explains. “We get incredible feedback about the quality of South African cherries. According to importers we are well positioned to compete with the Chileans.” Together, Tru-Cape and Dutoit Marketing have helped to make the Western Cape province, and the town of Ceres in particular, the new capital of South African ...