Q-CAPE now specialising in organic products from South Africa

Dronten-based organics trading company Q-CAPE has realigned its focus. Having supplemented its range of organic potatoes, carrots and onions with South African pumpkins and sweet potatoes in recent years, from this season Q-CAPE will be focusing solely on organic products from South Africa. It’s an approach that’s reflected in a fitting new logo and website: www.qcape.nl

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“Our South African products are much sought-after, so we’ve decided – in consultation with our growers in South Africa – to extend our crop acreage. This means we need to devote more attention to the growing, harvesting, transportation and processing of our organic pumpkins and sweet potatoes. To ensure the highest quality, we have decided to focus entirely on South African products”, points out Q-CAPE’s Leo Stoker.

Q-CAPE in South-Africa is working with its own crop advisor to coach and support local growers. In addition, Leo Stoker and Kees van Woerden make regular on-site visits to discuss strategic choices with its growers. As well as acreage, cultivation planning and variety selection, Q-CAPE is also exploring future opportunities to expand its product range, with the growers’ specific wishes and possibilities playing an important role; “Our growers value this collaboration, because – together – we are offering new perspectives in organic farming.”

Unlike in the Netherlands, the new growing season is already in full swing in South Africa. Pumpkins were planted in September and will be harvested between November and the end of February. Sweet potatoes are planted from October and will be ready for harvesting between February and late May. Q-CAPE manages its own imports of organic pumpkins and sweet potatoes. Upon arrival in the Netherlands, the products are washed, graded and packaged in line with customer requirements. Most are destined for sale in supermarket chains and wholesale businesses in Western Europe.

For more information about organic pumpkins and sweet potatoes from South Africa, please contact Leo Stoker at Q-CAPE (mobile +31 (0)6 22121852).