After a few years with relatively warm winters, the Western Cape is enjoying a cold and wet winter which bodes well for the upcoming stone-fruit season. The picturesque snow capped mountains are delivering the last cold units for the season and icy streams are filling up the dams across the Cape. The signs are positive for South Africa to regain a normal stone-fruit production year.
With this promising background, we are proud to announce
the establishment of Icon Fruit, a joint venture between
Unlimited Group and Cape Fresh Produce. The partners
beautifully complement each other on production areas and
seasonality, on varieties, on markets and logistics. A case of
1+1=3. Icon Fruit seeks to establish itself as South Africa’s
leading stone-fruit export company.
Icon Fruit will deliver its customers an attractive portfolio of
the best pluots, plums and cherry plums in South Africa
complemented by a full-season offer of white and yellow
nectarines and peaches. Icon Fruit combines diverse
geographical production areas to ensure consistent supply
across all types of Stonefruit stretching from the Klein Karoo
to Ceres and the Winelands.
Stonefruit might well be a maturing fruit category but its
complexity is legendary. With this in mind, we have chosen a
management team that combines youthful energy with years
of experience. Management of Icon Fruit will be headed up
by Stefan Du Plessis and supported by Lohan Marais and Jako
van Lill. The Icon Board will be chaired by HC Muylaert-Gelein.
The shareholders of Icon Fruit are on the forefront of variety
research and development. Bringing flavoursome and healthy
fruit to our customers will continue to drive our innovation
strategy. Icon Fruit represents the best stone-fruit breeding
programs available in South Africa.
Apricots: Early, mid and late season varieties including Buffat
and Carmingo ranges
Peaches: Early, mid and late season varieties from Sunworld,
Zaiger and Bradford
Nectarines; Early, mid and late season varieties from Buffat,
Zaiger, Bradford, Provedo
Pluots & Plums: Early, mid and late season varieties from
Zaiger, ARC, Sunworld and Bradford
Many of these ‘iconic’ varieties such as Flavorfall, Honey
Punch and Cherry Plums will be exported exclusively through
Icon Fruit.
Size does matter and consolidation will offer significant
economies of scale throughout our value chain. We are
continuously finding ways to maximise returns for farmers
and customers alike. By being largely producer-owned, with
farms in Ladismith, Robertson and Ceres, Icon Fruit focuses
on delivering a world class service to its producers by
maximizing the financial potential of their fruit.
For more information:
Donette Rabe
Fruits Unlimited
Donette@fruits.co.za
South Africa