The organic pecan harvest is currently underway at Roux Pecans in South Africa. The harvest started later than average, says Bob Roux, "We are now harvesting and it is going well, although we have begun three weeks late because of the cold weather," says Bob.
Bob at the Rhumveld Winter & Konijn stand during BIOFACH 2015.
Bob says that Roux Pecans traditionally starts harvesting at the end of May or in the first week of June, just as the first cold frost starts to appear, "The frost cracks open the shells and marks the beginning of the harvesting period for us. The season has started three weeks later than usual because we did not have the cold that we usually have around this time of the year." Bob says the quality is excellent, "We are now right in the middle of harvesting and the quality of the pecans looks great, with well-filled nuts, which makes for a smooth creamy texture when eating."
Bob describes 2015 as a 'down year' in the South African pecan sector, "This is because the trees get to rest after a big harvest (which happened in 2014). It is a natural phenomenon that occurs with pecan nuts, all the trees are in sync with each other, even if the orchards are hundreds of miles apart. There is no logical explanation for it, that's just the way it is."
He expects the first Roux pecan nut boxes to arrive in Europe around the end of September. Since 2000 Roux Pecans has been working with Rhumveld Winter & Konijn from Capelle aan den IJssel, The Netherlands, for distribution. The pecan nut containers are shipped to Rotterdam from the Durban port in South Africa.
The raw, organic pecan nuts being shipped to Europe and other locations
The raw, organic pecan nuts being shipped to Europe and other locations
Roux Pecans
Roux Pecans became fully organic in 1996. This proved a good move for the company. The organic label makes the pecans extra special for traders, "It turned out to be a good way to differentiate ourselves, and that is still the case. Because of this certification, we are now among the numerous conventional pecan companies in this region."
For more information:
Bob Roux
Roux Pecans
Ramah Farm
P.O. Box 3362
Diamond 8305
Kimberley, South Africa
+27 726030718
Bob@rouxpecans.com
www.rouxpecans.com
Paul van Schijndel
Rhumveld Winter & Konijn
Business development manager biologisch
Rivium 1e straat 111
2909 LE Capelle aan den IJssel
010 2403337
p.vanschijndel@rhumveld.com
www.rhumveld.com