How 'bout them apples?
Popular Mechanics South Africa|July/August 2022
South Africa is known for its delicious fruit, but have you ever thought about what goes into getting those crisp, sweet apples from the orchards to our supermarkets? PM toured the Ceres Fruit Growers facility in Ceres to get the low-down.
By Evan Samuel
How 'bout them apples?

The FRUIT-GROWING SECTOR is a key player in South Africa's agricultural sphere. High-quality fresh fruit is always widely available locally, but did you know that vast quantities are also exported overseas, making it a crucial contributor to our GDP?

While things might always look rosy to the consumer, who buys apples at their local supermarket, the fruit industry is constantly facing challenges. To overcome these, role players are always innovating, striving for technical solutions to complex problems.

ORIGINS

In 1652 the Dutch East India Company founded the Cape of Good Hope as a refreshment outpost for its passing ships. Deciduous fruit trees were planted to supply ships with fresh fruit. Ten years later, in April 1662, the first two ripe apples were picked at the Cape - these were Witte Wijn appels. Stone fruit and pears followed, and gradually small farmers started experimenting with other top fruit crops, and sold their produce to passing ships.

Since those small beginnings apple production has blossomed into an industry with more than 36 million trees covering some 25 000 ha. The total South African production is just more than one million tons, of which 460 000 tons are exported. The local market consumes 290 000 tons and a further 252 000 tons are processed as fruit juice and dried products.

Apples are primarily grown in the Western Cape on the farms surrounding Ceres, Wolseley, Elgin and Villiersdorp. The gross tonnage for these areas is 76 per cent of total South African production.

This story is from the July/August 2022 edition of Popular Mechanics South Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July/August 2022 edition of Popular Mechanics South Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM POPULAR MECHANICS SOUTH AFRICAView All
Can a retired rocket engine take us to Mars?
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Can a retired rocket engine take us to Mars?

The space shuttle's main engine was mothballed with the programme in 2011. Now NASA believes it's the future of interplanetary travel.

time-read
9 mins  |
January/February 2023
6 metre waves. All engines on fire. 1 500 Km from land.
Popular Mechanics South Africa

6 metre waves. All engines on fire. 1 500 Km from land.

How Flying Tiger 923 and its 'miracle pilot' made an impossible ocean landing.

time-read
10 mins  |
January/February 2023
Land Rover Discovery D300
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Land Rover Discovery D300

A FEW MONTHS ago a $2 billion lottery jackpot was won in the United States. It’s fun to sometimes ponder outrageous winnings like that, and how I’d spend it, even if it’s completely detached from reality.

time-read
3 mins  |
January/February 2023
Volkswagen Taigo R-Line 1.0 TSI
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Volkswagen Taigo R-Line 1.0 TSI

The compact proportions make this a delightful daily commuter.

time-read
2 mins  |
January/February 2023
Mazda CX-5 2.2 L De Akera AWD
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Mazda CX-5 2.2 L De Akera AWD

Floor the pedal and overtaking is achieved easily and safely.

time-read
1 min  |
January/February 2023
Making the most out of your grinder
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Making the most out of your grinder

THE HUMBLE BENCH GRINDER IS A STAPLE of the handyworker's home shop, largely due to its versatility. But, while you can employ one to remove metal from just about anything, the traditional kind may not provide the precision you need for every grinding operation. Here, we shed light on the best ways to use the different types of grinders, gleaned from our testing.

time-read
4 mins  |
January/February 2023
Unlock your devices' full potential with a USB-C hub
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Unlock your devices' full potential with a USB-C hub

AS NEW TECH SHRINKS EACH YEAR, essential ports such as USB-A, HDMI, and ethernet are being replaced by the slimmer USB-C.

time-read
5 mins  |
January/February 2023
WE BUILT THE WORLD'S FIRST V-8 TESLA
Popular Mechanics South Africa

WE BUILT THE WORLD'S FIRST V-8 TESLA

THE RICH REBUILDS TEAM HAD A DEAD MODEL S. THEY FIXED IT WITH A CAMARO ENGINE.

time-read
9 mins  |
January/February 2023
I bought a GHOST TOWN
Popular Mechanics South Africa

I bought a GHOST TOWN

This abandoned California mining village once had 400 buildings. Now I'm restoring the 20 that remain.

time-read
8 mins  |
January/February 2023
F1 taught me that speed starts with comfort
Popular Mechanics South Africa

F1 taught me that speed starts with comfort

AS A FAN OF MOTORSPORT, I'M ALWAYS fascinated with the finer details that go into Formula One racing. Piloting the fastest racing cars on the planet subjects drivers to savage forces - up to 6 G's under braking which has led to an almost endless pursuit of comfort.

time-read
2 mins  |
January/February 2023