Half the water, pal. No wonder more and more farmers are looking to cash in, whilst saving water at the same time.

Let’s be honest, cherries are also twice as nice to eat as apples. Yeah, I went there. Next week we deliver a brutal take down of pears, so be sure to stop by.

OK, enough tomfoolery. Total exports of the fruit from South Africa in 2012 were valued at just R2,6 million, but reached the lofty heights of R28 million in 2016 alone.

The global demand for cherries has also seen a massive increase during the same period, but it appears there is still a gap in the local market.

Cherry exports here in SA only accounted for 0,080% of the world’s total cherry exports, so there’s plenty of room for growth.

Of course growing the tasty red devils is just one part of the process, because then you’ll need to take care of the whole export game.

We reached out to global freight logistics experts Berry & Donaldson for comment, and here’s what MD Paul Waldburger had to say:

We have handled an increasing number of cherry exports these past few years, and they require quite a sophisticated operation.

Because much of their value is derived from appearance, we have to make sure that they are exported in a way that doesn’t compromise the look of the product in any way.

Hopefully, with their water-wise farming methods, we will see this export industry continue to show growth as farmers look for ways to decrease their reliance on water.

Who knows – maybe a gap in the market for some budding farming entrepreneurs?

Grow your cherries, ship them off with the company that handles every step of the complicated process of getting your cargo to and from the required destinations, and life oppie plaas is lekker.

Good luck out there.

[source:bizcommunity]