The six farming units are all situated in four
unique climate zones within the Ceres area,
spreading the climate risk of the farming
business. Each of the six units are operated
independently with its own infrastructure. The
combined production of the separate farming
units makes Pieter Graaff the single largest
individual apple producer in South Africa.
Other farming activities includes the
cultivation of pears, nectarines, peaches,
cherries, wine grapes, vegetables, grain,
forestry with a sawmill, cattle, sheep and a
thoroughbred stud.
Since the onset of his career, Pieter Graaff has
made the conscious decision to rather be “a
small fish in a big ocean, as opposed to being
“a big fish in a small pond”.
Unlike many other entrepreneurial farming
companies, Witzenberg Properties chose to
develop in partnership rather than alone. With
this philosophy a business was built with far
greater influence across the whole value chain.
Witzenberg Properties has a proud tradition
of taking care of its people. It is an employer
of choice within the greater Ceres area and
renowned as a company where people
work until retirement. It provides employee
benefits beyond the minimum requirements,
to provide every employee of Witzenberg
Properties the opportunity to live a life of
dignity.
Tru-Cape managing director, Roelf Pienaar
says: “Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing was over the
moon when our chairman Mr Pieter Graaff
was confirmed as the Western Cape Farmer of
the Year, earlier this month, but the news now
that he has been awarded by the Agriculture
Writer’s Association as South Africa’s National
Farmer of the Year has filled us with pride at
our close association with him. Our heartiest
congratulations go to Pieter.
“As the largest exporter of South African
apples and pears, Tru-Cape needs innovative
growers like Pieter Graaff and others to
maintain our competitive edge. His forward-
thinking and business-like approach to
growing the best South African fruit is a large
part of our success.”
Pieter and Jolanda Graaff with Plaas Media’s Hugo Lochner who nominated Pieter Graaff.
Photo credit: Plaas Media.
AgriKultuur |AgriCulture
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