"As part of its international development strategy, IPS created a subsidiary in South Africa in October 2020 with the permanent presence of a new collaborator, Michael Oosthuizen. The arrival of Michael in our team allows us to strengthen our agreements with current partners (nurseries, producers, marketers...) and to develop our R&D activities in this territory.
In South Africa about fifty hectares of Carmingo® are already planted in different regions. The most developed areas are Koo, Ceres and Barrydale, where the climate is best adapted to the Carmingo® bicolored apricots.
Until now, the apricot market has only been based on two old varieties. The introduction of the French Newcot genetics with the Carmingo® variety has enabled us to extend our marketing calendar for a period of 3 months. Indeed the harvesting season has been extended thanks to the development of 4 main varieties: Carmingo®Faralia (cov), Carmingo®Farely (cov), Carmingo® Farbaly (cov) and Carmingo® Farlis (cov). This is a major step forward for the South African market and the introduction of Newcot genetics will certainly perpetuate the apricot market in the country.
There is great enthusiasm for the Rubyngo® red apricots and we have already started evaluating new introductions. In a few days' time, you will find an article on Carmingo® apricots in South Africa in Agri and Farmer's Weekly magazine.
From January, technical apricot days will be organised by Michael Oosthuizen, our development manager for South Africa.
Michael worked for the research station, Agriculture Research Council, in Stellenbosch for 18 years, where he was responsible for the Stonefruit Evaluation Program. He also started a technical consulting business for the ARC. During this time he was responsible for the commercialization of 45 stonefruit varieties to the industry. These include varieties for the fresh, drying and canning industry.
After this he worked for a UK importer, DPS for 6 years and for Stargrow on a consultant basis as well as Unlimited Group as technical advisor and handling new plantings and evaluation of new varieties.
He is currently still working for the Unlimited Group and responsible for rolling out the Project of some Zaiger Interspecific plums in Europe (mainly Spain and Italy) and joined the IPS team last October."
For more information:
Michael Oosthuizen
IPS
Email: south.africa@ips-plant.com