EXOTIC FRUITS | SOUTH AFRICA
The term Exotic fruits cover a number of smaller volume fruits.
Dates from South Africa
Klein Pella is South Africa's city of dates, and is located in the Northern Cape. Klein Pella is the largest producer of dates in the Southern Hemisphere. Medjool dates, which are the ones largely grown in South Africa, are a great source of vitamin C.
Pomegranates
Pomegranate growing is a new wave crop on South African fruit farms. International trends show increasing demand for pomegranate juice, and pomegranate cultivation is suited to many areas of South Africa
Figs in South Africa are in a small niche area, particulary in the Klein Karoo
The fig producing industry is relatively small, however it shows a great deal of potential.Figs are a smooth skinned pear-shaped fruit which becomes fleshy and extremely tasty when mature.
Olive growing in South Africa
Fine wines have been produced in South Africa's Western Cape province for centuries, but few know that the region is slowly making inroads into the global market for another exclusive liquid - olive oil. The Cape winelands are home to a growing number of boutique oil-makers, who say their product can compare with the best oils that Spain, Italy and Greece can offer - and they have the awards to prove it.
Morgenster olive oil, produced by Morgenster Estate in Somerset West, was named the Southern Hemisphere New Season Extra Virgin Olive Oil of 2004 in a competition between oils from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Willow Creek in the Nuy Valley won a coveted Grand Mention Diploma at the Leone d'Oro dei Mastri Oleari olive oil awards in Perugia, Italy in 2005, putting the oil on a par with the best in the world.
Kiwi Fruit in South Africa
Now grown in South Africa the Kiwi fruit has a light brown, hairy exterior over a bright green, interior with a central circle of edible black seeds. Since it has ten times the vitamin C content of an orange, products are being developed to further exploit its health potential. Kiwi fruit is grown on fruit farms in KwaZulu Natal and fruit farms in Mpumalanga.
Persimmons from South Africa
Persimmon is known in the Far East as the Chinese apple. Its scientific name, Diospyros, means "food of the Gods".
By the year 2010, South Africa will produce 30,000 tons.Groups of growers have been formed to produce persimmons from a controlled number of hectares, ensuring high quality fruit in limited quantity.
Strawberries
The South African production of strawberries is about 350 hectares, most of which are local cultivars. The majority of strawberries are grown in the North West,Gauteng and the Western Cape. Some of the bigger growers include Mooiberge(Zetler) in Stellenbosch and Tangaroa in Skeerpoort in the North West. Strawberries are grown as an annual crop on raised beds covered with black plastic mulch. The average yeild per hectare is 30 tons. Those farmers in Gauteng and North west that grow strawberries in tunnels have fruit available from late May until mid-December. In the western Cape the season is late October to December.
Cherries
Cherries are grown in the Eastern Free State towns of Clocolan, Ficksburg and Fouriesburg. Here the excellent soil conditions, coupled with the hilly terrain and the cold winters have made the area world famous for their cherries. Every year in October the Ficksburg Cherry festival is held, and 2008 was a bash of note: The cherry festival celebrated its 40th year. Cherries were first planted in 1905 in Clocolan. Although now concentrated in Ficksburg, and also the Ceres area in the Western Cape, cherry growing has remained relatively small in South Africa over the years.
EXOTIC FRUITS TYPES.
EXOTIC FRUITS GROWERS ASSOCIATION.
EXOTIC FRUITS PRODUCTION.
EXOTIC FRUITS MARKETING.