The strong links between South Africa’s fruit growers and their customers and consumers in the UK have endured for more than 120 years. The UK’s oldest fresh produce trading partner is now set to delight consumers with the best of old and trusted varieties and the addition of a whole range of new products.
The history of South African fruit exporting to the UK dates back to 1892, barely three years before the establishment of FPJ back in 1895. Throughout this period South Africans have supplied their UK trading partners and consumers with fresh, counter-season fruit which they would otherwise not have had access to. Indeed, only the two great world wars of the previous century interrupted this seemingly endless supply.
In 2015 the relationship between the UK trade and the South African industry remains strong, with South African growers and exporters openly stating that the exacting demands and requirements of the UK market have changed their business. It has moved them from merely being good producers to those who can now meet requirements in any market around the world.
“The world’s fresh produce markets have evolved and changed at an increasing pace during the past few decades, but it is certain that the UK-South African connection will grow stronger in the years ahead,” says Alastair Moodie of farming estate Melsetter Trust. Moodie is a typical example of the generations of South African fruit growers who helped to build this special relationship.
As he discussed the special bond between South African fruit growers and their UK trading partners with FPJ, Moodie recalled that his father, the legendary Doug Moodie, first became involved with UK traders back in the 1930s, along with the equally famous Harry Blackburn, who originally founded what is today the Melsetter business. “We still have medals earned by South African fruit during this period at the annual Imperial Fruit Exhibition in London,” he says.
“Undoubtedly the UK has helped to shape us into what we are today, namely leaders in production of the finest-quality fruit, which is achieved in harmony with nature. We have learnt to do what others regard as too difficult to do and that is why we have been able to survive and thrive in our relationship with our UK partners.”
The first-ever South African fruit to be successfully delivered in good condition to the UK market arrived at Old Covent Garden Market on a grey February day back in 1892. Over time the 14 wooden boxes of peaches, which were harvested in the Stellenbosch region, became known as ‘peaches of legend’. Single fruit were sold at the incredible price of two shillings and three pence. This started an export industry which is today annually valued at close to R26 billion (£1.4bn), amounting to around 250 million units of fruit. In South Africa, this industry remains the leading agri employer and sustains vast regions of the rural parts of the country.
These milestones in the fresh produce relationship between South Africa and the UK come at a time of unprecedented changes in the international trading environment, driven by political and economic influences.
The South Africans are adamant that the UK will remain enormously important to their future, while back on farm, changes are taking places that will bring forth new varieties with exciting new tastes to meet the requirements of this sophisticated market.
