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

Letaba Pakkers 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. Other commodities that are prime candidates for processing at the packhouse include, for example, litchis.

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 Mahela, 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.

The joint shareholding finalised in 2026 brings together two significant and established entities, combining resources, expertise and infrastructure to further optimise the existing packhouse facility.

The vision of the management team is unanimous: to develop and maintain a best-in-class, multi-produce packing facility that will deliver efficient operations, market-related packing rates and outstanding service to the producers who pack at Letaba Pakkers.

By aligning operational strength with commercial capability, the newly constituted board has pledged a commitment to enhancing value for growers in the region and supporting the continued development of the local agricultural industry. Both partners will play an active role in governance and strategic oversight, ensuring balanced decision-making and a long-term growth focus.

“This partnership represents a strategic step forward for Dole and the Letaba Pakkers facility,” said the Managing Director of Dole South Africa, Hannes Nieuwoudt. “Not only will it support regional employment and contribute positively to the local economy but it will also combine our respective strengths to create a strong platform to serve producers with efficiency, transparency and long-term stability.”

The CEO of Mahela Group, Barend Vorster, noted a shared focus on operational excellence and service delivery. “Together, Mahela and Dole are committed to building a facility that producers can rely on,” Vorster said. “We believe this joint venture will strengthen our ability to serve growers and customers alike.”