South Africa

Our work in South Africa

South Africa is a leading global producer of several fruit varieties, particularly citrus and table grapes. The industry is a cornerstone of South African agricultural exports, with a significant portion of production destined for international markets; over sixty percent of fruit production, including citrus, grapes, and apples, are destined for global markets such as the EU, UK, and Asia. The sector is facing significant challenges including water scarcity, climate variability and extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, rising input costs, and is simultaneously being met with a proliferation of requirements pertaining to environmental standards in export markets, such as those seen under the European Green Deal umbrella. Over the past decade, South Africa has consistently ranked among the top fifteen emitters of greenhouse gas emissions per capita globally, and coal-based power is a main source of carbon emissions in fruit production. To address these issues, local agritech companies are providing precision agriculture services, for example employing sensors and drones for targeted irrigation and pest management, and blockchain technology for transparent supply chains. Exploring the promises of the digital revolution in agriculture, this research examines digital technologies aimed at the horticultural subsector at various stages of the agri-food value chain as they are increasingly proposed as a means by which to decouple profitability and productivity from the industry’s climate impacts.