Fruit distributor Tru-Cape expects a strong, early harvest of cherries this season in Ceres, in the Western Cape.

In fact, the company is confident that early indications point to the largest cherry harvest in the region to date.

Having experienced near-perfect growing conditions, producers expect a larger crop of between 5% and 7%, compared with the prior season, as well as excellent fruit quality.

Tru-Cape procurement director Calla du Toit says an ideal combination of rainfall and sunshine has led to one of the best growing seasons ever experienced for cherries in Ceres.

The warmer spring has also boosted natural sugar levels, promising sweet and juicy cherries. Early sugar readings have already exceeded 25˚ Brix – an indication of outstanding eating quality.

Tru-Cape cherry producer Deon Malherbe, who operates an orchard in Ceres, says established orchards are delivering strong yields, as well as many young blocks that are bearing fruit for the first time.

The 2025 harvest has started seven to ten days earlier than last year, which means there is a longer marketing window leading up to Christmas – the peak demand period for cherries.

“The earlier season gives us an extra week of sales, which is highly beneficial,” Du Toit states.

In preparation for this year’s season, cherry producer Witzenberg Properties has invested in cooling infrastructure, which enables faster pre-cooling and cold-chain precision, to better preserve fruit quality and extend shelf life.

The company upgraded its hydro-cooling system to bring fruit temperatures down as quickly as possible after picking, as well as incorporated smaller trucks to move cherries more frequently from orchards to packhouses.  

Witzenberg Properties representative Nico Verhoef says that, with loadshedding being a smaller risk this year, cherry producers can now focus on maintaining optimal temperatures throughout the cold chain.

Commenting on market dynamics, Tru-Cape explains that cherries continue to be high in demand locally, as well as in new export markets amid growing international interest.

Du Toit says most of Tru-Cape’s cherries will be sold locally but a significant share will be shipped to Europe and the UK this year. He adds that a Chinese trade delegation will soon visit local orchards for inspection, which is a key step to securing market access to China.

Owing to South African cherries being ready two to three weeks before that of Chile, there are significant opportunities for South Africa to export its cherries to China.

Moreover, Du Toit says international buyers increasingly prefer cherries 24 mm and larger in size, which requires that orchards adapt and change practices to meet that demand, including by testing new cultivars and rootstock combinations.

Tru-Cape and its growers continue to prioritise sustainability in both farming and packaging.

The company is introducing environment-friendly packaging made partly from recycled paper to reduce the use of plastic and support a circular economy approach.

Tru-Cape encourages growers to plant fynbos around orchards to promote biodiversity and attract pollinators – which are essential for fruit production.

Du Toit concludes that Ceres remains the largest cherry-producing region in the country, which will this year deliver abundance, innovation and optimism for the industry.