Pome fruits are members of the plant family Rosaceae, sub-family pomoideae. They are fruits that have a core of several small seeds, surrounded by a tough membrane. The membrane is, in turn, encased in an edible layer of flesh. Apples and pears are the best known examples of pome fruit; others that are found in South Africa include loquats and quinces..
The history of pome fruit in South Africa dates back to the early 17th century when the world’s first multinational company, the VOC (Dutch United East India Company), decided to start a halfway station at the Cape of Good Hope. The sole purpose of this settlement was to supply ships with fresh meat, vegetables and fruit to combat the effects of scurvy that decimated unfortunate sailors on their long voyages.
It was here in the shadow of Table Mountain where Jan van Riebeeck planted the first apple seeds and where the South African history of fruit production began.
By 1916 three million apple trees had been planted in South Africa and by 1966 five million cases of apples were being exported annually. By then, the industry occupied with the export of fresh fruit, mostly to Europe, was well established.
PRODUCES SEASONS
According to an international report, South Africa tops the rankings for fresh fruit production efficiency.