South Africa’s fruit canning industry under threat as Premier Foods plans closure

Words: Greg Dor / GroundUpThe prospective closure of Premier Foods’ fruit processing plant in Tulbagh has raised concerns well beyond the loss of factory jobs. Premier has begun a Section 189 consultation process on the proposed closure of Fruit Products Western Cape (FPWC). Producers face uncertainty‘Basically half the capacity for the industry will disappear,’ said Jacques Jordaan, chief executive of the Canning Fruit Producers’ Association (CFPA). According to Jordaan, South Africa has two main canning facilities: the FPWC plant in Tulbagh and Langeberg Foods in Ashton. It points to the closure of one of the United States’ two major fruit canning operations earlier this year.