Suiderland Plase

What Suiderland Plase does

Suiderland Plase is a privately held South African fresh fruit producer and exporter headquartered in Bellville (Cape Town), with operations across the Western Cape. The company cultivates, packs, and distributes premium citrus (soft citrus, oranges, lemons, grapefruit) and seedless table grapes, supplemented by a niche finger lime (caviar lime) line and, from 2024, planned avocado production. Operations span at least ten farms and three dedicated packing facilities (Suiderpak at Buffeljags River, Wespak near Clanwilliam, and Bergpak at Steenebrug near Piketberg), with annual export throughput of approximately 4.5 million cartons of citrus and 5 million cartons of table grapes, representing an estimated 7% of South Africa's soft citrus export volume. The company runs a vertically integrated supply chain with its own logistics via the Horizon Fruits Logistics joint venture (alongside New Vision Fruit and Fruit & Veg City International), and an in-house quality control function covering TSS%, acid ratio, skin colour, seed content, size grading, and pressure testing across citrus and grapes.

Name

Suiderland Plase

Legal name

Suiderland Plase

Website

https://suiderlandplase.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Suiderland Plase is a privately held South African producer and exporter of premium citrus, seedless table grapes, and finger limes, supplying major grocery retailers across the UK, Europe, North America, Middle East, and Far East through a vertically integrated farm-to-shipment operation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Fruit Production

NAICS

Citrus (except Orange) Groves (11132), Orange Groves (111310), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (42448)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

Citrus Orchards (Oranges, Lemons, Limes, Grapefruit) (AFAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Tropical & Subtropical Fruit Orchards (Avocados, Mangoes, Bananas/Plantains, Pineapples, Papayas) (AFAGACAF)

Keywords

• Fresh fruit production
• Citrus exports
• Table grape farming
• Agricultural exports
• Fresh produce distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Fresh Fruit Export Sales: Production and export of premium citrus and table grapes to international markets including UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Middle East, and Far East. Revenue derived from sale of own produce supplemented with carefully chosen third-party grower fruit when needed.
2. Third-Party Grower Fruit Supply: In certain cases, supplement own produce with fruit from carefully chosen third-party growers, offering tailor-made supply solutions to meet unique client needs

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Suiderland Plase is a vertically integrated South African fresh fruit producer that cultivates, packs, and exports premium citrus (soft citrus, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and finger limes) and table grapes. The company operates multiple farms and three packing facilities (Suiderpak, Wespak, Bergpak) in the Western Cape, exporting approximately 4.5 million cartons of citrus and 5 million cartons of table grapes annually to international grocery retailers across the UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Middle East, and Far East.

Product overview

Suiderland Plase is a South African fresh fruit producer and exporter operating a vertically integrated business model. The company cultivates, packs, and distributes premium citrus and table grapes through its network of farms (Steenebrug, Ferland, Radyn, Zandberg, Welverdiend, Klipbult, Mandaryn, Mooi Uitsig, Loreley, Leeurivier) and three packing facilities (Suiderpak, Wespak, Bergpak) in the Western Cape. Core products include citrus (soft citrus, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, finger limes) and table grapes (Red Seedless, White Seedless, Black Seedless varieties). Supporting services include integrated logistics through Horizon Fruits Logistics joint venture, quality control, and Niche Fruit partnership for Middle East market distribution. The company exports approximately 4.5 million cartons of citrus and 5 million cartons of table grapes annually to markets in the UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Middle East, and Far East.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Citrus
• Table Grapes
• Finger Limes

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.5 million cartons of citrus exported annually, representing 7% of South Africa's soft citrus exports
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Niche FruitcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2005Established partnership serving as a dedicated fruit supply hub for key clients in Middle East markets. Niche Fruit is a member of the South African Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum. The collaboration ensures consistent supply of diverse grape and citrus products throughout the year through meticulous production planning and efficient delivery practices.
• Horizon Fruits LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture logistics partner alongside New Vision Fruit and Fruit & Veg City International. Founded with the vision of establishing an optimal logistical chain. Services include product loading at source, shipping, documentation, planning, and final delivery to intended destination. Offers competitive rates and pallet tracking system.
• Zandberg Workers TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShared ownership company with Zandberg Citrus Estate in Clanwilliam region. 84 permanent workers appointed to BEE partner positions as co-owners of the 251-hectare farm. Workers receive business training and share in harvest rewards.
• Steenebrug Workers' TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partnership at Ferland where Suiderland Plase funded establishment of citrus orchards. Steenebrug Workers' Trust shares 35% of joint venture profits since 2018.
• Klipbult Employee TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner50/50 shared ownership between Suiderland Plase and the Klipbult Employee Trust. 47 original permanent workers as partners at Mooi Uitsig Boerdery.
• Lincorso TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProducer partner in 50/50 joint venture for Leeurivier farm near Riviersonderend. Total of 56.5 hectares planted, first harvest celebrated in 2022.
• Loreley Producer PartnerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner50% equal stake partnership in Loreley farm near Gouda, Porterville area. 46.5 hectares planted since 2022 production start.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Wonderful Company (The Wonderful Co.): US-based integrated fresh produce company with significant citrus operations (Wonderful Halos mandarins, California citrus). Comparable in mandarin/citrus category leadership and direct retailer supply model.
• Fresh Del Monte Produce: Vertically integrated global producer and distributor of fresh fruit including citrus and grapes. Comparable in vertically integrated farm-to-retailer model and export customer base, though significantly larger and more diversified.
• Dole plc: Global fresh produce leader with a citrus and table grape offering. While far larger and broader in scope, Dole is a key competitive benchmark in supplying the same international grocery retailers.

Regional players

• San Miguel S.A. Leading Argentine citrus and fresh fruit producer-exporter serving similar Southern Hemisphere counter-seasonal windows in the EU and North America. Comparable in citrus-led product mix and export orientation, though operating in a different geography.

Direct peers

• Citrusdal Citrus Company (CCC): Vertically integrated South African citrus grower-packhouse-exporter in the Western Cape. Comparable in operating model (farming through to retail export), product category, and certification profile.
• Two-a-Day Group: South African deciduous and fresh fruit producer-exporter with similar vertically integrated structure, GlobalGAP/BRC certification footprint, and UK/EU retail customer focus.
• Karsten Group (KG Fresh): Major South African table grape producer and exporter with similar exclusive variety strategy and BEE partnerships. Closely comparable in product mix, geography, and export customer profile.
• ALG Estates: South African table grape specialist exporting premium varieties to UK and EU retailers. Directly comparable in product mix (seedless grapes), exclusive variety strategy, and UK/EU retail customer focus.
• Capespan: One of South Africa's largest fresh fruit exporters with a comparable citrus and grape portfolio supplying UK and EU retailers. Directly comparable in production geography, product mix (citrus, grapes, stone fruit), and customer base.

Emerging players

• Sun World International: Specialist breeder and licensor of proprietary table grape and stone fruit varieties. Comparable through the varietal-IP playbook that Suiderland Plase pursues, though Sun World operates upstream rather than as a grower-exporter.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/suiderland-plase

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Suiderland Plase