Dutoit Group

We’re excited to see South Africa’s agricultural excellence featured in Good Fruit Grower . This article highlights how innovative practices, efficient labour management, and a commitment to quality allow South African growers to deliver world-class fruit to international markets. At Dutoit, we’re proud to be part of this thriving industry, contributing to sustainable farming and ensuring the freshest, highest-quality produce reaches tables across the globe. Read the full story to see how South Africa is leading the way: https://lnkd.in/dVCwrm5p

Reflecting on 2024 and Preparing for 2025 As we close 2024, I’m proud to reflect on a year of growth, resilience, and innovation at Dutoit. Our commitment to producing Class 1 products has been driven by initiatives like: - Protective Netting: Expanding installations to mitigate sunburn and hail damage. - Reducing Bruising: Using Fruitguard™, shock-dampened forklifts, and improved trailers. - Cherry Packing Line Expansion: Increasing capacity to 10–12 tons/hour. A major highlight was gaining approval to acquire Novo Packhouse in Paarl—a strategic move that will enhance our operations and produce quality in 2025. This year also saw a generational leadership shift and new management structure. Despite challenges, the team stepped up, positioning us for future success. As we face the impacts of crop damage to cherries and nectarines, we remain focused on meticulous planning, operational improvements, and leveraging IT to drive efficiency. Thank you to our team and partners for your unwavering support. Here’s to a successful 2025! Hennie du Toit CEO, Dutoit Agri #YearInReview #2024Reflections #LookingAhead2025 #AgricultureInnovation #FarmingforTheFuture #DutoitAgri

Dutoit Onions: A Season of Resilience and Innovation The 2024 onion season has been marked by resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to quality. It began with significant challenges, as heavy winter rains left our fields waterlogged and delayed planting, with slower crop growth than usual. However, November’s warmer weather brought a much-needed turnaround. While our onions are slightly behind schedule, we remain optimistic for the months ahead. At Dutoit, we’re proud of how our farming team has risen to the occasion. Onions require precise irrigation and fertilisation timing, and the team’s ability to adapt has been crucial in maintaining our high-quality standards. We continue to embrace innovation in farming. GPS-guided tractors improve planting efficiency, while smartphone-controlled irrigation and drones provide real-time crop insights. These tools help identify issues early, ensuring the best possible growth. Once harvested, around 60% of our onions are stored in cooling rooms at 1°C to preserve freshness and prevent diseases. Advanced camera systems are used during packing to ensure only the best reach our buyers. The first brown and red onions were available in mid-November, with shallots arriving in mid-January. Early signs from our Piketberg farm suggest a consistent yield and quality. A key development this year is our introduction of sweet onions, with low pungency and a unique flavour profile, destined for both local and export markets. While challenges like export logistics persist, we’re addressing them with increased cooling storage. Sustainability remains central to our practices, including improved drainage and water use efficiency. Looking ahead, we’re grateful for our team’s dedication and the trust of our partners. Together, we’re ensuring Dutoit onions remain a benchmark for quality. Pieter du Toit Commercial Director - Vegetable and Packing #DutoitOnions #FarmingResilience #2024Harvest #InnovationInFarming #OnionSeason2024 #ProudlySouthAfrican #FutureOfFarming

This year's weather has brought unique challenges to our cherry and stone fruit harvest, highlighting the resilience of our farming practices and the dedication of our team. Technical Advisor, Rudolf Cronje says, "The extreme cold conditions during the start of spring reduced flower density in some cultivars. The season is 10 to 14 days later compared to the previous season due to less winter chill that we experienced this winter. However, this season promises some potential upsides, with slightly larger fruit sizes expected on our cherries.   Spring weather brought its own set of challenges, with extended cold periods impacting early fruit size and two frost events affecting early-to-late season fruits. Rainfall also added complexity to early cherry harvests, impacting both volume and post-harvest quality. Despite these hurdles, Dutoit remains committed to delivering the highest-quality produce.   Our sustainable farming practices, such as GPS-targeted fertilization, cover cropping, and the use of mulches, help us maintain long-term soil health while nurturing quality crops. We’re also focused on strict pre- and post-harvest protocols to ensure optimal fruit maturity and freshness across our nectarine, plum, and cherry cultivars, which serve both local retail markets and export destinations.   In the face of both weather and logistical challenges, including road delays impacting fruit temperature, we’re exploring solutions to keep our fruit at its best until it reaches our valued customers. At Dutoit, quality and excellence are at the heart of everything we do, ensuring our partners can always depend on our produce—no matter the season." #DutoitAgri #CherryHarvest2024 #SustainableFarming #FruitQuality #AgricultureInnovation #FarmToTable #WeatherChallenges #SoilHealth #ResilientFarming #FreshProduce #ExportQuality #StoneFruit #CherrySeason #AgricultureExcellence #QualityFirst

Farming for the Future: Partnering with Lumbri Compost At Dutoit, we believe in partnering with innovative businesses to drive the future of sustainable agriculture. Our collaboration with Lumbri Compost is a perfect example of how shared vision and expertise can create powerful solutions that benefit not only our business but also the environment. Sustainability is woven into every aspect of what we do, and Lumbri Compost is a key player in that journey. By transforming raw materials like manures, fruit, wood, and sawdust into nutrient-rich compost, Lumbri ensures that the soil remains healthy and fertile for years to come. This innovative composting process, which combines water, aeration, and the right blend of carbon and nitrogen, creates what we call “brown gold.” As Jaco Beukes, General Manager at Lumbri Compost, notes: "When you apply this 'brown gold' to any soil, whether it’s for commercial farming or private gardens, you’re laying the groundwork for long-term soil health." By embracing on-site compost production, Dutoit enhances its sustainability efforts and reinforces its commitment to farming with nature. Together with forward-thinking partners like Lumbri, we’re building a future where agriculture and innovation go hand in hand. #Sustainability #FarmingForTheFuture #InnovativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #DutoitAgri #LumbriCompost

21 years ago, an agricultural transformation project was launched which has today become a formidable player in fruit farming in South Africa. In line with our passion for our people and producers, along with our dedication to unlock opportunities in the secondary agricultural sector and empower the communities in which we operate, we wanted to start something that would enable workers to get a stable income from the start. With a cooling facility needed, this initiative would also enable many employment opportunities that would span longer than a single harvesting season. This profit-driven, low-risk enterprise saw dividends being paid to its shareholders within the first year, with Crispy Coolers and Crispy Farming combining to become the Crispy Group the very next year, becoming part of the Dutoit Libland division. Today, the Crispy Group is a world-class entity and plays an integral role within the company. "Our dedication to quality and distribution mirrors Dutoit's standards. Crispy Farming is not merely an extension but an integral part of Dutoit, benefiting from the same rigorous practices and exceptional fruit quality,” says Jacque Visser, Production Manager at Crispy Farming. As one of the very first agricultural transformation initiatives, the Crispy Group’s remarkable achievements over the last 21 years exemplifies our dedication to empowering farm workers and integrating them into the farm's management and organisational framework, while nurturing their progress and enabling them to thrive. #EmpoweringCommunities #SustainableFarming #FruitFarming #CrispyGroup #DutoitAgri #AgriBusiness #AgriculturalInnovation #FarmingForTheFuture

Last week, we gathered to honour the incredible commitment and hard work of our team at our Long Service Awards ceremony. We’re proud to have handed out: 9 x 10-year awards 7 x 20-year awards 2 x 40-year awards At Dutoit, we believe in recognising long service because it reflects the strength of our community and the shared values that drive us forward—commitment, excellence, and sustainability. These milestones are not only a testament to our team’s dedication but also to the positive work environment and company culture we’ve nurtured over the years. We are deeply grateful for the loyalty and expertise of each of these individuals. Here’s to many more years of growth and success together. #DutoitAgri #DutoitFamily #LongServiceAwards #EmployeeRecognition #TeamDedication #CommitmentToExcellence #YearsOfService #CompanyCulture #WorkplaceExcellence #SustainableGrowth

Driving Sustainable Innovation: How Dutoit is Transforming Farming with Cutting-Edge Technology Modern farming has entered a new era, with technology driving efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. Over the last five years, Dutoit has partnered with leading tech innovators to trial transformative systems for their pome and stone fruit production. Dutoit's Technical Manager Willie Kotze highlights how satellite and drone imagery have become indispensable for monitoring orchards, optimising growth, and enhancing fruit quality. By integrating precision tools like GPS-fitted fertiliser spreaders, Dutoit can manage nutrients with pinpoint accuracy, reducing waste and maximising efficiency. Kotze notes that these advanced systems bring significant benefits to the business—improving quality, reducing costs, and enhancing sustainability—while minimising food waste and enabling a more proactive approach to farming. #AgriTech #FarmingInnovation #DutoitAgri #FruitProduction #SmartAgriculture #TechInAgriculture #SustainableAgriculture #FutureOfFarming Read more about our research and innovations in the full story published by IOL: https://lnkd.in/da-BRziw

 A big thank you to FreshPlaza for featuring Dutoit's commitment to innovation and research in the agricultural industry. We're proud to share how our company continues to thrive by embracing modern, cutting-edge technology. Check out the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dz7smRb6. #InnovationInAgriculture #Agritech #SustainableFarming #AppleIndustry #DutoitAgri #AgricultureResearch #ModernFarming #FreshProduce #IndustryLeadership 

Continuing our Women's Month celebration, we honour the incredible women who are the heartbeat of Dutoit Vegetables. Meet Yandiswa Ntengane, a shining example of the opportunities and growth that Dutoit offers. Her caring nature and dedication resonate deeply with our core values. We are proud to have Yandiswa as part of our community, and we celebrate all the women who inspire us daily, making Dutoit a place of empowerment and unity. Thank you for everything you do! 🌸 #WomensMonth #DutoitWomen #Empowerment