Breaking new ground in SA

Well-Pict European SA had its EurepGAP audit at the beginning of July and are pleased to announce that they are the only farm and packhouse growing strawberries in South African to be fully accredited. They will soon undertake their BRC audit and HACCP. The farm is looking food for the forthcoming season; they are already picking on the early-planted Commitment (since about 26th June) and started with the normal Commitment on the 5th July. The early plants are big and leafy; whereas the standard plantings are looking compact and well balanced. Early indication suggests that there is little bonus in the early planting as there is only about a 1 or 2 week difference in the plants. The Endurance is starting to look good, with small amounts of flower starting to show. The team at the farm have planted 28ha of fallow land with a cover crop, which will not only act as a cost effective source of straw, but it will also help improve their soild for future plantings.

The three new Plant Sciences Ic. and Berry Genetics, Inc. varieties Honor, Patience and Promise are now on their way from the USA to South Africa. Stargrow Pty and Well-Pict European ZA will be responsible for getting them through the quarantine and registration process as quickly as possible, they are confident this will be achieved smoothly. Well-Pict European ZA also hope that Brian Windsor and a colleage from the main propagators in SA will be given national funding to visit a number of foreign nurseries to improve their skills.

The other growers within the Well-Pict European Marketing Trust in South Africa are all in their final stages of the EurepGAP accreditations. Representatives from WPE Ltd in the Uk will be visiting SA in September to ensure that the operation is completely set up for the export of Strawberries to the UK for the UK Autumn / Winter season.

Summer 2004