Anton Rabe elected Chairperson of Fruit South Africa
Long-serving Hortgro executive steps into leadership as South Africa’s fruit export sector faces new uncertainties.
SOUTH AFRICA – Anton Rabe, the executive director of Hortgro, has been elected as the new chairperson of Fruit South Africa (Fruit SA), the main body representing the country’s fresh produce industry.
His appointment comes at a time of major shifts in the organisation’s board and rising pressure on the country’s agricultural exports.
Fruit SA confirmed Rabe’s election alongside the appointment of Derek Donkin, CEO of Subtrop, as the new vice chairperson. Anton Kruger, the outgoing chairperson, has stepped down from the role but will remain on the board.
In a statement, Fruit SA said the appointments marked a “significant transition” as the group works to strengthen its leadership and long-term plans for the industry. The organisation also announced the retirement of two key board members: Justin Chadwick and Vangile Titi-Msumza.
Three new directors have joined the board. Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, the newly appointed CEO of the Citrus Growers Association, brings fresh energy to the team, while Jacqueline Maisela and Jenetha Mahlangu join as independent directors.
Rabe said this period of change comes at a crucial time for the organisation. “Since its formal registration, we have not experienced such a substantial shift in leadership at one time,” he said. “This change presents a unique opportunity to build upon the organisation’s successes and to drive Fruit SA forward as a unified voice for the South African fruit industry.”
He added that the new board remains committed to supporting a competitive, fair, and sustainable fruit sector. “We are confident that these appointments will help sharpen our strategic direction,” Rabe said.
Grape and citrus exports under pressure
While Fruit SA works to strengthen its leadership, the broader export industry faces growing concern. The recent announcement of a 31 per cent tariff on South African exports to the United States has raised alarm across the sector.
The South African Table Grape Industry (Sati) warned that the move could severely affect grape exports. “South Africa prides itself on having an export-oriented agricultural sector, and the USA is one of the vital markets for certain commodities, including table grapes,” said Mecia Petersen, Sati’s chief executive.
She added that over the past five seasons, grape exports to the US have grown by 28 per cent. “South Africa holds a reputation as a reliable supplier of world-class quality grapes, and we believe that the growth demonstrated in the USA market over the last five seasons bears testament to this,” Petersen said.
The citrus sector has echoed similar concerns, stating that a 31 per cent tariff would make exports unworkable. “Should the implementation of a 31 per cent tariff on South African goods proceed after the three-month pause, it would be among the highest rates to be levied,” Petersen explained. “It would profoundly impact the South African table grape industry and disrupt its export flow.”
The uncertainty comes as countries like Peru and Chile are set to face only a 10 per cent tariff after the grace period. Petersen warned that if South Africa ends up at a higher rate, the industry would be placed at a major disadvantage.
“Retaining market share in existing markets remains a key priority for Sati and the farming communities in South Africa,” she said.
“Sati will work with the South African government and its industry representative, the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), to pursue the continuous flow of agricultural exports to the USA under favourable trading terms.”
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