Capespan

A Promising Pome Season in the Langkloof 🍏🍐 Members of the Capespan Pome Team recently visited producers and packhouses in the Langkloof, engaging with growers about the upcoming season. After a challenging previous season, producers are feeling optimistic about the quality and colour development of this year’s crop. The Langkloof is a key production region for apples and pears, known for its unique climate that plays a crucial role in fruit quality. This season, the industry is seeing strong colour development across different varieties, a promising sign for both local and international markets. • Quality is looking good, and producers are hopeful for a strong season ahead. • Colour development is meeting expectations, which is a key factor in market appeal. • A more positive outlook compared to last year, despite the challenges the industry has faced. Last season was tough, with multiple hurdles for growers. Seeing this renewed optimism and improved fruit quality is encouraging for the industry. Capespan remains committed to working alongside our partners to ensure a successful season, delivering premium apples and pears to global markets. Here’s to a fruitful season ahead! #Capespan #PomeFruit #Langkloof #Apples #Pears

Know Your Pome Fruit: Cheeky® Pears 🍐 A modern twist on traditional pears, Cheeky® pears are a relatively new variety bred in South Africa, prized for their deep red blush and smooth skin.  What sets Cheeky® pears apart is their early harvest timing and long shelf life, making them a favourite for both consumers and retailers. They hold their shape exceptionally well when baked or poached, adding a touch of sophistication to culinary dishes. In South Africa, Cheeky® pears are harvested from early February to mid-March, ensuring a steady supply for both local and international markets. Their vibrant appearance and superior eating quality continue to drive their popularity. A pear with personality🍐  #KnowYourPomeFruit #CheekyPears #Pears #Capespan

Honoring the Legacy of Peter Guy Misselbrook (5 November 1945 – 9 March 2025) It is with great respect and deep appreciation that we remember Peter Guy Misselbrook, whose contributions to the South African fruit industry, and particularly to Outspan and Capespan, were both visionary and transformative. As the Financial Director of Outspan, Peter played a pivotal role in shaping what would become Outspan International Limited. His strategic financial acumen was instrumental in the deregulation of the South African Cooperative Citrus Exchange (SACCE) to form Outspan International Limited and his financial expertise ensured the business evolved into a successful commercial citrus fruit export entity. Peter was one of two directors who relocated to Cape Town after Outspan merged with Unifruco to form Capespan, a transition that fundamentally changed the South African fresh produce landscape and positioned the company as the then largest fresh fruit exporter in South Africa. Part of an excellent management team, his sharp business acumen, forged through experience at MacSteel and a deep-rooted understanding of international trade and financial strategy, helped Capespan through its formative years in the free market system.  He retired from Capespan in March 2002, leaving behind a legacy of financial excellence and strategic foresight. Beyond his financial brilliance, Peter was known for his unyielding determination - a formidable force in the boardroom, yet fiercely loyal to those he trusted and a keen sense of humour. He had an undeniable passion for business and was unwavering in his commitment to securing Outspan and later Capespan’s future, especially during the South African export fruit industry’s most turbulent years. His legacy is one of resilience, strategic foresight, and an unwavering dedication to the industry. We honor his memory with the utmost respect and gratitude. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, at 11h00 at the Durbanville Presbyterian Church.

The 5th CGA Citrus Summit 2025, held from March 11 to 13 at The Boardwalk Hotel in Summerstrand, Gqeberha, was a key moment for the citrus industry. Capespan was well represented, taking part in key discussions, strengthening relationships with industry partners, and gaining valuable insights that will shape the season ahead.   Read more in our latest LinkedIn Newsletter, here: https://lnkd.in/dtiiSHWh #CGACitrusSummit #Citrus #Capespan

The 5th CGA Citrus Summit 2025, held from March 11 to 13 at The Boardwalk Hotel in Summerstrand, Gqeberha, was a key moment for the citrus industry. Capespan was well represented, taking part in key discussions, strengthening relationships with industry partners, and gaining valuable insights that will shape the season ahead. #CGACitrusSummit #Citrus

Capespan Grape Season Update – Week 9 & 10 🍇 As the 2024/25 grape season nears its conclusion, Capespan growers across the Western Cape are wrapping up their harvests with strong quality arrivals. Here’s the latest update: Olifants River Region • The season has now officially concluded for Capespan growers in this region. • Arrivals in the market have been excellent, with shipments still expected over the next few weeks. Western Cape 🍇 Early Berg River: Capespan growers have completed their season, and arrivals thus far have been of high quality. 🍇 Hex River Valley: • The bulk of Capespan’s Hex River supply will conclude by the end of this week. • ALLISON™ and SCARLOTTA SEEDLESS® will finish in Week 11, with both varieties showing good size and quality. • Crimson Seedless will still be packed for the next two weeks. • A few late growers will continue packing very late Crimson Seedless until Week 12/13, maintaining strong quality. • By the end of Week 13, Capespan will have completed its grape campaign for the 2024/25 season. • This has been the first "dry" year in a long time, leading to strong quality arrivals despite challenging market conditions. Overall, the 2024/25 season has been successful, with good grape volumes for the South African table grape industry and consistently high-quality fruit delivered to global markets. #Capespan #tablegrapes #report #freshfruit

Know Your Pome Fruit: Abate Fetel Pears 🍐 Elegant, elongated, and exceptionally sweet—Abate Fetel pears are a true standout in the world of pome fruit. Originally cultivated by Italian monks in the 15th century, this premium pear variety is now grown in select regions worldwide, including South Africa. Abate Fetel pears are easily recognizable by their long, slender shape, golden-green skin, and sweet, aromatic flesh. Unlike many other pear varieties, they retain a firmer texture when ripe, making them perfect for fresh eating, cheese platters, and gourmet desserts. Their natural sweetness is enhanced when gently roasted, caramelized, or poached in wine. In South Africa, Abate Fetel pears are typically harvested from early February to mid-March, ensuring peak quality and export readiness for international markets. Their excellent storage capabilities make them a sought-after variety for extended shelf life and long-distance trade. #KnowYourPomeFruit #AbateFetel #Pears #Fruit

Capespan Wraps Up a Fantastic Business Bowls League! Thursday nights in February were well spent as Capespan joined 47 other teams in the Business Bowls League, bringing together businesses for a mix of friendly competition, team spirit, and plenty of socialising. More than just a game, the league was a great way to strengthen relationships, network with other professionals, and enjoy some time together outside the office. Last night, the top 24 teams played in the final round, and we were proud to be part of it! Throughout the tournament, our team members - Anmari Kriegler, Ansie Auret, Herman Redelinghuys, Christiaan Beukes, Armand Visagie, Cecilia Van der Merwe, and Ron van Heerden - took turns representing Capespan on the greens, making every match a fun and memorable experience. From rolling bowls to sharing meals and stories after each game, this league was all about connection, teamwork, and enjoying the moment. A huge thank you to everyone who participated - we look forward to doing it all again next year! #Capespan #BusinessBowlsLeague #TeamBuilding #Networking

When Life Gives You Rain… Wait for Your Lemons Capespan South Africa welcomed the first early-season lemons in Weeks 5 and 6, eager to deliver the freshest, finest fruit to clients worldwide. And then—the rain came! Lemons are particularly sensitive to oleocellosis (or oleo), a condition that occurs when fruit is picked while moisture levels in the rind are too high. This causes the oil cells to burst, leaving dark marks on the skin. While the fruit inside remains perfectly fine, consumers tend to buy with their eyes, making visual appeal crucial. To prevent oleo, growers typically wait for warmer, drier conditions before harvesting. However, intermittent rain in South Africa’s northern growing regions has made this challenging, as orchards haven’t had enough time to dry out properly. Rather than compromising quality, Capespan and our supply partners are closely monitoring weather forecasts—and thankfully, sunshine is on the horizon! Despite the delays, there’s plenty to look forward to. The orchards are thriving, filled with beautiful citrus fruit that’s almost ready for harvest. While we wait, we’re sharing a glimpse of the journey—from the challenges of oleo to the promise beautiful citrus coming soon! Capespan’s marketing team recently visited key growers in the North, and we can’t wait to see these orchards in full production soon. Stay tuned! #Capespan #Lemons #Citrus #QualityFirst

From Grapes to Pome Fruit: The Season Marches On! 🍇➡️🍏🍐 As the table grape season gradually winds down in some regions, the pome fruit harvest is already in full swing! 🍏🍐 Capespan is now sourcing premium apples and pears from top producers in the Langkloof, Ceres, and EGVV regions (Elgin, Grabouw, Villiersdorp, Vyeboom). Summer pears kicked off the season, and now apples are steadily coming in as packing operations ramp up. Our commitment to quality and global supply remains steadfast as we transition from grapes to pome fruit. Stay tuned for updates as we deliver fresh, top-tier produce to markets worldwide. #Capespan #PomeFruit #Pears #FreshProduce