Jointly owned by Dole South Africa and Allesbeste Group, Letaba Pakkers of Tzaneen has helped open up new opportunities in the exotics space.

Letaba Pakkers — previously known as Afrupro Packers — is situated in a region renowned for the production and export of exceptional avocados, litchis and mangoes.

This transaction reflects Dole plc’s strategic intent to invest in a best-in-class vertically integrated global avocado supply chain and consolidate its position as one of the industry’s leading avocado marketers. Product from Letaba Pakkers pack house will be exported to Dole’s operations across Europe, most notably Dole Exotics in the Netherlands, Dole’s specialist unit dedicated to the ripening and marketing of the DOLE® “BE Exotic” brand.
“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,” says Hannes Nieuwoudt, Managing Director of Dole South Africa.

The combined volume throughput of Dole and Allesbeste, as well as their collective professional management skills, will create economies of scale and efficiencies, positively impacting on packing costs while delivering optimised operational capacities that meet the most exacting international quality standards. “By delivering a professional, cost-effective pack house solution we will increase our marketing opportunities and add value to our existing business,” says Dole SA MD Hannes Nieuwoudt.

The ability to pack and send avocados within protocol remains the most difficult task a pack house can undertake and it’s something Letaba Pakkers will continue to take very seriously. The management team’s commitment to investing in world-class technology, equipment and expertise is evidenced by a new avocado packing line that provides a modern upgraded facility with vastly improved packing and cooling capacity, giving flexibility during the season to meet customers’ demands.

As a global leader in fresh produce, Dole Plc produces, markets, and distributes an extensive variety of fresh fruits and vegetables sourced locally and from around the world. Dedicated and passionate in exceeding our customers’ requirements in over 75 countries, our goal is to make the world a healthier and a more sustainable place.

Allesbeste is a fourth-generation family-owned fresh produce enterprise, integrated from nursery to retail with farming at its core. Through its breeding and selection programme Allesbeste has developed the first truly South African avocado variety, Maluma, which has since been planted by growers worldwide with more varieties in the process of commercial release.