Politisi packhouse is strategically important

Jacques Nel is the new general manager of Letaba Pakkers, and the packhouse, which was previously known as Afrupo Packers, is already in use on the farm, Dwarsfontein in Politsi. “Jacques has 25 years’ experience in packhouse management and is well-known in local farming circles,” says Edrean Ernst, director of the Allesbeste Group. Dole and Allesbeste each own nearly 50% of the newly branded Letaba Pakkers packhouse.

“We are excited to now have access to our own facility that will expand the opportunity to pack and market our own avocados and litchis from South Africa,” Hannes Nieuwoudt, managing director of Dole South Africa stated. “Letaba Pakkers is strategically important for the area in terms of providing a high-quality, independent fruit packing service at a competitive cost to the grower, regardless of whom the growers choose to market their product with.

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“Allesbeste looks forward to working with a strong partner like Dole,” Ernst added. The Letaba region is renowned for the production and export of exceptional avocados and litchis. Donovan Lewis, marketing manager of Allesbeste said: “The ability to pack and send avocados within protocol remains the most difficult task a packhouse can undertake. This is something we intend to continue to take very seriously at Letaba Pakkers, therefore giving each producer packing at our facility the best chance to deliver quality fruit to markets anywhere in the world.”