Challenges and opportunities for Harrismith apple growers

OFM News’ agri editor Sabrina Dean visited Fyvie Farming near Harrismith earlier this year as part of a tour by Free State Agriculture focused on positive farming stories. She spoke to Kerryn Fyvie, a dynamic young member of the family farming operation about their apple production. They are exporting a lot of apples annually but also supply to selected local retailers. Kerryn speaks about how they have embraced the value chain and play a role in job creation for the local community. She explains some of the difficulties in farming with apples in the area, not traditionally an apple area, but adds one of the big bonuses is being able to get certain varieties into the market well in advance of producers in the Cape. Says they also have big plans for the future: