The passion fruit grown on a farm outside Brits (North West Province) for the past six years was originally only intended as an extra income but, as these growers have found, quality sells and they have been carving a niche for their fruit in Gauteng Province.
“It began small as a means of supplementing our income and has grown over the years,” says Linda De Alves, marketing manager.
“We have grown to the point where our annual production is about 75 tonnes.”
They are primarily supplying the Tshwane and Johannesburg fresh produce markets, and, Linda notes, they are always open to new opportunities for their growing production. They harvest their fruit at roughly the same time as the Mpumalanga Lowveld.
Passion fruit pulp
A new line has been bottled passion fruit pulp, currently sold at Food Lovers Market and supplied to the fresh produce markets of Gauteng.
It is a small family business where everyone is involved in all aspects of the production and marketing of the fruit. Packaging is done on the farm by a small team.
“Much attention is paid to the packaging and labelling as we feel that it reflects the pride we have for our product as well as an acknowledgement to those who have been a part of its production,” she says.
Organic production
Their fruit is grown organically, with no colour or ripening stimulants, and they keep their own bees for pollination.
“We are fortunate to be in an area that is favourable to the growth of passion fruit allowing us to produce a fruit of good size and flavour. The lockdown has had an impact on our operations as there seems to be more produce available in the markets.”
For more information:
Linda Alves
LF Alves
Email: linda.d.alves@gmail.com