Vegetables
Introduction Vegetables offer a unique market for the South African producer since they are a basic requirement of every person. Vegetables play a central role in addressing food security and providing nutritional supplements and requirements to people. Vegetable production is largely driven by the expansion of the domestic market and is important for job creation […]
Tree nuts
Introduction The tree nut industry worldwide is growing on the back of improved lifestyles and a desire to eat more healthily. South Africa has the climate and the ecology to become a recognised producer and value added processor of most nuts. The harvest time in the southern hemisphere is ideally suited too, just before the […]
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts is an important crop in South Africa. It is an important earner of foreign revenue, has high growth potential while also being labour intensive.
Table grapes
Introduction Table grapes are grapes intended for consumption while they are fresh, as opposed to grapes grown for wine production, juice production, or for drying into raisins. Table varieties usually have lower sugar content than wine grapes and are more flavourful when eaten. Their flavours, however, do not survive fermentation and their low sugar content […]
Subtropical fruit
Avocados, Bananas, Guavas, Litchis, Macadamias, Mangoes, Pineapples, Other subtropical fruit
Olives
Introduction Olive products are olive oil and table olives. Harvesting can be done mechanically or by hand. The latter yields a better product but is more labour intensive. Olive farming is a long-term investment, with a return on investment only showing four to five years after planting. The climate in the Western Cape is ideal […]
Mushrooms and truffles
Introduction Fungiculture is the process of producing food, medicine and other products by the cultivation of mushrooms and other fungi (like truffles). Unlike plants which depend on the sun, mushrooms rely on their growing medium for food and energy. Examples of this food-and-energy source are compost, mulched hay, sawdust and wood chips. Four important mushroom […]
Indigenous food crops
Introduction Indigenous food crops refer to crops that have their origin in South Africa. Added to these crops are those that were introduced into the country and are now recognised as naturalised or traditional crops. These crops are produced and found growing in the country under various weather conditions with many found in the wild. […]
Fruit – general
Introduction Fruits are edible products of a tree or other plant that contains seed and can be eaten as food. They are also known as an important source of vitamins and carbohydrates. The cultivation of fruits differs considerably in different places owing to physical properties of land, climate, rainfall, temperature, sunlight, cultural practices of the […]
Floriculture and nursery crops
Introduction Floriculture, or flower farming, is a discipline of horticulture concerned with the cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants for gardens and for floristry, comprising the floral industry. The development plant breeding of new varieties is a major occupation of floriculturists. Floriculture crops include bedding plants, flowering plants, foliage plants or houseplants, cut cultivated greens, […]