THE FUSE

South Africa’s horticulture sector continues to expand its global reach as premium plum varieties move from Western Cape orchards to shelves in China. Ruby Star and African Delight, developed by ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij and commercialised with Culdevco, show how local research can deliver strong results for farmers. These cultivars combine high sweetness, strong shelf life, and reliable transport performance, which are key for export success. Farmers who grow for export need varieties that can handle long shipping periods without losing quality. This shift toward premium cultivars gives South African producers a clear advantage in competitive global markets.