South Africa’s Canning Fruit Industry Struggle to Stay Afloat Amid Market and Climate Pressures

South Africa’s canning fruit industry has faced tough conditions in recent years, with many farmers barely breaking even. Jacques Jordaan, CEO of the Canning Fruit Producers’ Association (CFPA), notes that while individual farm performance varies, data from Optimal Agricultural Business Systems (OABS) shows tight margins across the sector.

In 2024, production costs excluding land and return on investment were R5 331 per ton for apricots, R5 477 for peaches, and R3 988 for pears. Average prices after grading, including a 10% juice contribution, were slightly lower, leaving growers with almost no profit.

Farmers must also contend with extreme weather, from prolonged droughts and heatwaves to frost and flooding. Despite these challenges, the 2024/25 season produced a relatively normal harvest, improving slightly after the low production of 2019/20 and 2023/24.

The industry received a boost with the announcement that Langeberg Foods, a consortium of producers, will take over the Langeberg & Ashton canning factory from Tiger Brands on 1 October 2025. Jordaan says, however, that uncertainty over the past five years has already reduced the area under cultivation. Cling peach orchards have shrunk from 5 800ha to 3 500ha, apricots from 1 500ha to 1 000ha, and Bon Chretien pears from 2 800ha to 2 000ha over the past decade.

Tree age is another concern. About 44% of Bulida apricots are over 18 years old, compared with 31% of cling peaches. Older apricot trees could affect productivity in the coming years.

Internationally, the challenges are similar. Greece faced a 30% drop in cling peach production due to frost, while Spain’s hailstorms cut apricot volumes in half. In the US, cling peach production is expected to decline 6% amid uncertainty following Del Monte’s liquidation. China, a global leader in production, expects a 20–30% reduction in fruit quality due to hot, dry conditions.

Market pressures remain high. Prices have stayed low despite global production drops because of high carryover stocks, weak consumer demand, and uncertainty around US import tariffs. South African exports face a 40% tariff, compared with 17% for the EU, while China’s market has shifted focus to domestic consumption.

Jordaan advises farmers to align production with market demand, particularly for niche crops like Bulida apricots. Efficiency must extend beyond the farm to the entire value chain, with government support as an enabler. Investment in research and development is essential to develop cultivars and production systems resilient to climate, pests, and disease.

Production data from 2019 to 2025 highlights trends:
Bulida apricots: 13 071t (2019/20) → 27 665t (2024/25)
Cling peaches: 147 628t (2019/20) → 120 070t (2024/25)
Bon Chretien pears: 79 802t (2019/20) → 85 982t (2024/25)

For South African farmers, survival depends on efficiency, market alignment, and collaboration across the value chain. With strategic planning and investment, the canning fruit industry can regain stability and remain a key contributor to rural livelihoods.