TopFruit

Nic® 29 rootstock, a medium chill apple rootstock designed for growers looking to maximize productivity and fruit quality: • Size Controlling – tree size 25–40% of seedling rootstock, ideal for high-density orchards. • Resilient in Harsh, Dry Conditions – Better adapted than other M9 rootstocks. • Precocious – Trees come into bearing sooner. • High Yield Efficiency and productivity – with improved fruit size and colour. • Less excess shoot growth Take note: Ensure mulching to protect shallow roots from excess heat and support the trees with proper structures due to limited anchoring roots.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Agriculture Leaders Yesterday, our Pome Fruit team had the privilege of visiting Stellenbosch University to engage with second-year crop production students. We shared insights into TopFruit’s role in the fruit industry and the importance of Intellectual Property (IP) in agriculture and showcased exciting new varieties from global breeding programs. Key topics covered: - TopFruit’s history and vision - The role of IP in plant material - Cutting-edge fruit varieties shaping the future - To top it off, students had the chance to sample some of these varieties—a hands-on experience that brought the learning to life. A big thank you to Stellenbosch University for hosting us. #FutureOfAgriculture #weareTopFruit #CultivarManagement #InternationalLeaders #PomeFruit

Our Stone Fruit team recently hosted a field day, putting the spotlight on Monbach, a late yellow-flesh nectarine from the R.M.C Breeding Program, managed by Star Fruits in France. With its vibrant red blush, excellent fruit size, and outstanding eating quality, Monbach is a strong contender in the late nectarine market. Harvesting in week 10/11, this variety thrives in high-chill conditions and delivers a delicious balance of sweetness and acidity, with an average Brix of 16-19%. For more information on this variety, contact: Jason, Stone Fruit Technical 061 304 8836 | jasonm@topfruit.co.za #weareTopFruit #StoneFruit #Monbach #Nectarine #StarFruits

Get ready for an exciting experience at the flagship Bakersfield Field Day events at the ARRA™ Breeding Site in California!   Join Grapa Varieties this July for the Very Early and Early ARRA™ Varieties Field Days, where you'll get an exclusive first look at the season's freshest innovations. Then, come back in August for the Full ARRA™ Selection, where you can explore the complete range of ARRA™ varieties.    Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect, discover, and taste the future of table grapes!

South Africa’s kiwifruit industry is gaining momentum, and TopFruit is at the forefront! Through strategic partnerships with KiwiKo® and The Kiwi Connection, we’re unlocking the potential of this superfruit This month, KiwiKo® hosted its first-ever Kiwifruit Field Day in South Africa, bringing together 50 international and local guests to evaluate new varieties, visit commercial orchards, and drive the future of kiwifruit in SA. Meanwhile, The Kiwi Connection is gearing up for a record-breaking 2025 season, with a 60% increase in harvest volume. Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions during the critical flowering and pollination stages, both DORI™ and YA 50 have nonetheless achieved good fruit sets and yields. Click the link below to read more: https://lnkd.in/dTERbPHN #weareTopFruit #newsletter #cultivarmanagement #internationalleaders #kiwifruit

After the successful export of our first Soluna™ apples from Europe to Asia, complementing our supply from Australia, our second European shipment recently set sail. With strong demand and a growing market presence, Soluna™ is making waves in its second year—an exciting journey ahead! #Somethingreal #Solunaapples

For the Boland Cellar team, sustainability isn’t just a philosophy. It’s a commitment. Through our partnership with Greenpop’s Forests For Life Pledge Fund, a portion of proceeds from selected wines contributes directly to reforestation efforts. We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your support, Boland has already planted 3,707 trees in 2024, with the collective pledge fund reaching an incredible 6,182 trees! Each tree plays a role in restoring ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and securing a more sustainable future. Every bottle enjoyed is a step towards greener landscapes, and we couldn’t do it without you. Let's raise a glass of wine to our beautiful South African nature, community, and making meaningful impact. 🌱 Here's a breakdown of the Boland Pledge Fund Member contributions: Boland - 3707 trees Nuxe - 213 trees Nedbank - 762 trees TopFruit- 1050 trees Pink Lady® Apples - 450 trees Thank you, Greenpop, for leading such an important initiative! #BolandCellar #SustainabilityInEverySip #Greenpop #ForestsForLife #DrinkWinePlantTrees Greenpop Nedbank TopFruit

Join us for our Stone Fruit Field Day on March 10th at Laastedrif, Ceres, as we showcase two exciting varieties: Monbach (yellow flesh, sub-acid) and Moncha (white flesh, sub-acid). These two late-season nectarines from Star Fruits (France) have good eating quality, high market potential and are very productive. RSVP: 7 March 2025 Jason Minnaar | jasonm@topfruit.co.za | 061 304 8836

KiwiKo®’s First Field Day in South Africa! Last month, we hosted our first KiwiKo® Field Day in South Africa—an exciting milestone. With 30 international guests from across the globe and 20 local attendees, the event brought together key players in the kiwifruit industry. We were also honoured to welcome Professor Zhongyan Wang from Yanoon BioTech.  Key Highlights: - First Fruiting Observation – Viewing KiwiKo®'s varieties in three distinct Western Cape climates: Worcester, George, and Grabouw. - Commercial Block Visits – Assessing the opportunities and challenges of kiwifruit production in South Africa. - Connecting & Knowledge Sharing – Strengthening relationships and fostering technical discussions among global licensees. The event was an overwhelming success, with engaging discussions, valuable learnings, and positive feedback from attendees. Guests found the field visits and insights highly informative, reinforcing the importance of continued collaboration in advancing kiwifruit production. We look forward to building on this in the years to come!

For the first time ever, Sassy™ apples, The Sweet Thing with Zing!, are being packed in South Africa and will make their way to four selected Pick n Pay stores in the Western Cape and Gauteng.  Known for their superb eating quality, Sassy™ apples offer a firm, crisp bite with a perfect balance of sweetness and a mild taste. Sassy™ apples have gained strong consumer appeal in global markets, and we’re excited to see how they perform locally. To introduce them to South African shoppers, in-store tastings will take place this weekend at these four Pick n Pay stores: Constantia, Plattekloof, On Nicol & Douglasdale.   If you are in the area on Saturday 8 March, join us from 09h00 – 14h00 to experience the satisfying crunch of this exceptional apple, available in limited volumes in its first year on shelf. This marks a huge step in the journey of Sassy™ apples in South Africa! #weareTopFruit #Sassy #SweetThingWithZing #PomeFruit #Cultivarmanagement