The Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen was in apple country on Monday, where he witnessed the first shipment of apples from South Africa to Thailand in over 16 years.

Steenhuisen visited the Bella Frutta Packhouse in Ceres, which is one of the biggest apple-producing towns in the Western Cape.

The apple export market to the Kingdom of Thailand had been closed to SA from January 2008 to December 2024 due to changes in requirements by the trading partner.

Steenhuisen lauded the re-opening of this market saying it was a significant step forward for the country, presenting opportunities for much-needed jobs on farms including in packing, logistics and the transport sector.

“Apples are one of the most important deciduous fruits grown in South Africa, taking into consideration its foreign exchange earnings and employment creation. The South African apple industry is export-oriented with approximately half of the apples produced being absorbed by the export market.”

The Apple Industry employed a total of 32 397 workers on farms in 2023 with 129 590 dependants benefiting. The Western Cape remains the largest apple-producing region, with the biggest orchards around Ceres, Wolseley, Elgin, and Villiersdorp.

According to Hortgro, South African apple exports have surged by 40% over the past decade, driven by exports to the Far East and Asia, accounting for about 35% of all South African apple exports.

The Department of Agriculture says fresh apples exported from SA to the Kingdom of Thailand must meet all agreed-upon and applicable phytosanitary requirements.

The fruit must also be free from quarantine pests of concern, as listed in the final phytosanitary import conditions. Commercial orchards, packhouses or export establishments wishing to export the fruit to the Kingdom of Thailand must also be registered and approved by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).

Hortgro says South African apple growers and exporters are overjoyed that Thailand has again opened its doors to South African exports.

The re-opening follows after two Thai inspectors visited packhouses, cooling facilities, and orchards in South Africa’s three major production areas in March 2024.

Hortgro has expressed confidence that South African apples will suit Thai consumers’ preferences and taste profiles.

“Hortgro would like to thank the Department of Agriculture, the SA Embassy staff in Thailand and the Thai Ambassador to SA for their continued support and hard work in achieving this goal.”

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