Cherry export market takes off in Western Cape

CHERRIES are less thirsty than apples‚ and are proving to be popular with markets overseas – helping our under-pressure agricultural economy.

The primary market for domestically produced cherries was the United Kingdom‚ with Hong Kong‚ the Netherlands and Malaysia forming the rest of the top four export markets‚ Western Cape Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde said yesterday.

Once a very small crop in the province‚ cherries had more than quadrupled their export market share over the past four years‚ and continued to show excellent potential as an alternative crop‚ he said.

The Western Cape government has so far invested nearly R7-million in the development of alternative crops like berries‚ cherries‚ fynbos‚ pomegranates‚ and honeybush.

These are smaller‚ export-oriented crops with high market value‚ and greater potential for job creation‚ it believes.

Cherries require about half the water per hectare that apples do and are a labour-intensive crop.

The export value of cherries from South Africa has increased exponentially. Total exports of the fruit in 2012 were valued at R2.6-million‚ and reached R28-million in 2016.

Similar growth trends are being seen in fresh berry exports‚ which grew in value from R1.5-million in 2004 to R80-million in 2013.

“As we continue to be faced with the reality of climate change‚ it’s important that our agricultural industry adapts and diversifies,” Winde said.

“These kinds of alternative crops allow farmers to diversify their offerings‚ and present new and untapped export markets for the province.

“The research fund supports crops that have the potential to create jobs‚ are economically viable‚ more sustainable and will lead to increased exports.

“Cherries are also a lower water-use crop.” – Timeslive