Product Offerings
Product Categories:
fruits and vegetables
Products:
Fresh Apples, Fresh Pears, Citrus Fruits
Core Fruit (Pty) Ltd is a leading South African exporter and marketer of premium fresh produce, headquartered in Paarl, Western Cape. Established in 2001, the company has earned a strong international reputation as a reliable, vertically integrated supply partner serving global retail, wholesale, and foodservice channels with high-quality fruit sourced from certified growers across South Africa.
Brief History
Founded to bridge the gap between growers and international buyers, Core Fruit began as a focused apple and pear export company. Over the past two decades, it has diversified its product range and established long-term relationships with some of the most reputable growers and global brands in the industry. Core Fruit now exports to over 60 countries worldwide, with a strong presence in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America.
Core Business
Core Fruit specializes in the sourcing, packaging, quality control, marketing, and international logistics of a wide range of fresh produce. The company operates on a 12-month supply model, offering consistent availability through strategic grower partnerships, cold chain management, and integrated logistics.
Product and Service Offerings
The company’s portfolio spans both core and niche fruit categories, including:
- Pome Fruit: Apples (Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Gala, Golden Delicious), Pears (Forelle, Packham’s Triumph)
- Citrus: Navels, Mandarins, ClemenGold, Lemons, Valencia
- Grapes: Red, white, and black seedless varieties
- Stonefruit: Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Apricots
- Berries: Blueberries, Strawberries
- Exotics & Other Fruits: Lychees, Passion Fruit, Avocados, Pomegranates, Cherries, Dates
- Nuts: Almonds
The company offers customized services including private-label packaging, in-market support, quality assurance programs, and tailored logistics solutions for different markets.
Specialization and Core USP
Core Fruit’s competitive edge lies in its grower-centric model, quality management, and brand portfolio. It provides:
- Direct access to over 100 certified growers
- End-to-end cold chain management
- Advanced quality assurance systems with on-site inspection teams
- Representation of global premium brands such as:
- ClemenGold
- Sweet C
- Pink Lady
- ZZ2
- Joya
- Cheeky
- Wonderful Citrus
- Cevita
This multi-brand strategy allows Core Fruit to offer differentiated products for diverse markets.
Financial Overview
While Core Fruit is privately held and does not publicly disclose its full financials, the company is estimated to handle:
- Annual export volume: Over 80,000 metric tons of fruit
- Revenue Estimate: Between ZAR 1.2 – 1.5 billion annually (based on trade volumes and average export pricing)
- Number of employees: Approximately 120 full-time staff across logistics, quality, marketing, and compliance
Shipments and Export Records
Data from import-export platforms such as ImportGenius and Volza confirm:
- Consistent export activity to over 60 countries annually
- Top markets: United Kingdom, Netherlands, Canada, UAE, India, China
- Shipping format: Primarily refrigerated containers (reefer), with over 2,000 containers shipped annually
- Known for high compliance with EU, GCC, and Asian import regulations
Target Market
Core Fruit supplies a wide range of clients:
- Retailers and Supermarkets
- Wholesale distributors
- Foodservice and hospitality sectors
- Private label programs
They cater to premium produce buyers who value consistent quality, food safety, and traceability.
Capabilities
- Dedicated grower relations team for supply coordination
- On-site pre-shipment quality control
- Marketing team for in-market promotional activities
- Integrated cold storage and logistics partnerships
- Traceability systems from farm to shelf
Certifications and Compliance
Core Fruit and its growers comply with international and regional certifications:
- GLOBALG.A.P. – Good Agricultural Practices
- GRASP – Social Practices
- BRCGS – Global Food Safety Standard
- SIZA – Sustainability Initiative of South Africa
- HACCP – Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
- Organic Certification (for select lines)
- Phytosanitary compliance with all major importing countries
Customer Testimonials
"Core Fruit is not just a supplier; they are a strategic partner. Their flexibility and dedication to quality make them stand out in the global fruit trade."
— Procurement Manager, European Retail Chain
"We’ve worked with Core Fruit for over 10 years. Their consistency in delivering high-quality grapes and apples makes them one of our top preferred partners."
— Director of Imports, Middle East Distributor
Major Achievements
- Among the top 10 fruit exporters in South Africa by volume
- Exclusive marketing partner for several premium brands in the Southern Hemisphere
- Pioneered new export markets in Southeast Asia and India post-2017
- Successfully implemented real-time container tracking systems for buyers
- Maintains a >99% compliance rate with all phytosanitary inspections globally
Core Fruit (Pty) Ltd continues to elevate South Africa’s fresh produce industry through quality, transparency, and long-term partnerships, earning trust in global markets through its commitment to excellence and innovation in the fruit export business.