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RedSun Hortitech, a 5-star accredited commercial nursery based in Tzaneen, Limpopo South Africa, has invested in multi-million-rand facilities aimed to increase the availability of quality macadamia and avocado trees. The investment comes as a result of the sustained global demand and growth opportunities for avocados and macadamias.    An overview of the industry  Avocados and…

ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM : https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/south-africa/avocado-export-estimate-down-13-due-to-covid-19/ Despite having taken an initial knock in demand on international and local markets as a result of global trade and movement restriction to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, South Africa’s avocado growers are now seeing a steady, positive turnaround. Derek Donkin, CEO of the South African Subtropical Growers’ Association…

ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM : https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/south-africa/avocados-are-in-pork-bellies-out-in-era-of-pandemic-eating/ The pandemic has totally transformed the way the world eats. There is no trend, exactly, other than this: People want comfort. They also want to eat their way to stronger immune systems. They’re stress baking, but they’re also eating healthier than they would have at restaurants. Avocados are in. Pork…

ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM : https://phys.org/news/2020-05-avocado.html A technique for measuring the ripeness of avocados could reduce waste by up to 10% and help fulfil consumer demand for ready-to-eat fruit. Developed and tested by Cranfield University, the technology uses a laser and small vibration to test the individual fruits’ resonant frequency, giving a reliable assessment of ripeness…

Monitoring for the macadamia felted coccid Eriococcus ironsidei (Hemiptera: Coccidae) Schalk Schoeman Effective monitoring is the first line of defence in any insect management programme. For crop protection to be effective, it is important that commercial pests are accurately identified. Due to the current chemical biased pesticide spraying regimens on many farms, it is not…

Selecting varieties for commercial orchards is a complicated process for many growers and nurseries. There are many varieties to choose from, with each responding differently to different climates, regions, orchard and water management. Our expert team at RedSun Hortitech have put a few suggestions together to assist in the process of selecting varieties for commercial…

“Andrà tutto bene” – Everything will be all right As a company with customers across Southern Africa, we know that many of our business partners have been directly or indirectly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. We want to take the opportunity to express our fullest sympathy to those struggling during the outbreak. We at RedSun…

ORIGINAL ARTICLE : https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-03-03-southern-africas-green-gold-and-macadamias-ripe-for-the-picking-by-criminal-networks/ Organised-crime syndicates are muscling in on a share of the profits of southern Africa’s lucrative avocado and macadamia nut markets. The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime reports. Markets for agricultural produce may not be commonly associated with organised crime, corruption and violence. But for people in South Africa’s farming sector, it…

ORIGINAL ARTICLE : https://themacadamia.co.za/2020/01/15/look-after-your-bees-and-they-will-look-after-your-yield/ It is estimated that 160 000 bee hives are required to optimally pollinate 40 000 hectares of macadamias. Since there are not that many hives in the whole country, the need to protect what we have is crucial to ensure sustainable macadamia production. During a recent bee information day hosted for macadamia farmers in…