South African table grape exporter Exsa fruit has announced the appointment of Stefan Conradie as its new chief executive officer.
He is replacing the late Michael Loubscher, well-known Hex River Valley grower and chairman of SATI, who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident earlier this year.
Conradie is presently commercial director at Fruitways, one of South Africa’s leading apple and pear exporters. He previously held management positions in other companies and institutions in commercial, organised agriculture and government sectors, including a spell at Hortgro.
“I had eight very good years at Fruitways and enjoyed working in the apple and pear sector,' said Conradie. 'Table grapes will be a new challenge and the industry is going through a new and exciting growth phase which I look forward to be part of.”
He explained that moving from a company with products that are in the market year-round, to a sector with perhaps a four-month season, will be very much like playing cricket.
“With apples and pears you play five day test matches,' he said. 'The table grape industry is more like T-20 cricket, when you hit, you have to hit well and make sure to connect and get a four or six every time.”
Conradie will take up his new position on 1 September 2018.
