The SA Cherry Growers’ Association (HORTGRO-Cherries) is made up of specialists and producers in the cherry growing industry.
Members of the organisation work together to ensure research concerning the production, economic viability and marketing of cherries is carried out and coordinated.
The South African Cherry Association boasts a variety of cherries as part of their produce and harvest, namely: Bing, Blackstar, Early star (Panaro 2), Early sweet, Minnie royal, Rainier, Regina, Royal dawn, Royal lee, Sandra rose, Santina, Sentennial, Skeena, Staccato, Stardust, Stella, Sweet early (Panaro 1), Sweetheart and Van cherries types.
With each cherry type requiring a specific agricultural farming technique due to its tree characteristics, growth habit and harvest cycle, the organisation ensures that it is armed with accurate information to achieve high-quality yields.
HORTGRO-Cherries serves to establish uniform grading regulations for cherries produced in South Africa.
The organisation liaises with other cherry groups across the world to exchange information about the global cherry growing industry and it disseminates information regarding production, packing and methods of promoting the sale and consumption of cherries in the local and export markets. HORTGRO-Cherries also ensures that there is an availability of certified plant material.
The organisation serves to establish uniform regulations for the South African cherry growing industry and ensures that the industry is economically viable and sustainable by assessing coordinated joint actions that are agreed upon from time to time.
In South Africa cherry farming is confined to specific areas due to the climatic requirements for this sensitive crop. Cherries need mild su...