Northern Cape
South Africa
Sector
Agriculture & Agri-processing
Overview of the agriculture sector in the Northern Cape
The Northern Cape, although generally drier than South Africa's other provinces, has fertile agricultural land and produces some of the country's finest-quality agricultural products. The province is a major exporter of table grapes, fruit and meat and is a large-scale producer of sheep and goats. Horticultural and viticulture crops are grown under irrigation along the Orange River, while the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme near Warrenton produces wheat, fruit, peanuts, maize and cotton. Other quality products of the Northern Cape include wool, mohair, karakul pelts and lucerne. There are opportunities for the expansion of agriculture, including the agro-processing of dates, fruit, citrus products, vegetables and viticulture.
Investment opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing
Opportunities exist in the Northern Cape for investment to expand the agro-processing,
wine-making and dried vine fruit industries and the development of grapes supporting industries such as packaging plants. Kimberley farmers alone use around 12-million cartons and 10-million fibre bags annually, and the establishment of factories to produce these items offers profitable possibilities for investors.
Dried products from the vine
Seventy percent of the sultana grapes grown in the Lower Orange River Region are used for vine fruit products. There are some 1 250 sultana grape growers in the province producing three sultana-type grapes which rank among the best in the world: the Sultana Clone H5; a new hybrid called Merbein Seedless, which has proved resistant to splitting after rain; and the most popular type, the 143B.
The following vine fruit products are produced in the Northern Cape:
- Sundried Thompson Seedless Raisins
- Dipped Orange River Sultanas
- Golden Sultanas
- Muscat Raisins
- Monuca Raisins
An example of successful sultana grape production in the province is the SAD Vine Fruit (Pty) Ltd. which owns the largest dried vine fruit processing and packaging plant in South Africa. Started as a small co-operative, the Upington-based firm now employs more than 350 people when in full production, As much as 80% of vine fruit grown in South Africa is exported, primarily to Europe but also to Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Canada and the USA.
For more information on these and other opportunities in the agri-processing sector in the Northern Cape:
Contact: Mr Darius Babuseng
Tel: +27 53 830 4800
Fax: +27 53 830 4838
Email: dbabuseng@perm.ncape.gov.za
