REKOPANE PLANTS FIRST CITRUS IN CONFIDENT MOVE INTO THE FUTURE

The first citrus trees have been planted at the newly formed Rekopane Estates in South Africa’s Orange River region in what Managing Director Peu bezuidenhout describes as a “confident move’ into the furute.
Rekopane’s expansion plans also include further plantings of seedless table grapes to boost its export programme. Mr Bezuidenhout says another 68 hectares of new table grape varieties and 60 hectares of citrus fruit will be planted during the next three years.
REKOPANE now consists of 528 hectares of land of which 114 hectares are planted with table grapes. Rekopane also produces 1,400 tons of wine grapes on 23 hectares. The varieties are Colombard and Steen and the grapes are pressed at the Oranjerivier Wine cellar. A further 22 hectares of Sultana vineyards are utilised for raisins of which 176 tons are produced each year. There is also a growing rose flower production, and a guest house and farm shop concludes the business activities.

The first 8 hectares of Star Ruby grapefruit was planted in November last year to specifically take advantage of the growing international demand for red grapefruit. Mr Bezuidenhout says Rekopane is in the process of developing new linkages for the marketing of the fruit.

All the orchards have been certified in terms of the international environmental and food safety standerds of EurepGap and Tesco’s Nature’s Choice. Rekopane’s evironmental policies are aimed at sustainable agriculture and protection of indigenous plants and wild life are part of the way of life among the people of Rekopane.