One of SA's biggest avocado growers is on a coffee high

With some areas of South Africa having the ideal conditions for growing coffee, the country has the potential to produce a world-class product. However, only a few farmers are planting the crop, as it is highly labour-intensive. Zander Ernst of Allesbeste Boerdery is one of a handful of farmers who want to change the perception of coffee production in South Africa. Magda du Toit reports.

- Magda du Toit

FAST FACTS

Zander Ernst of Allesbeste Boerdery says there are only a handful of coffee growers in South Africa, but the rise of the coffee culture has seen demand for locally grown premium coffee beans increase exponentially.

As with wine, the soil, climate, and topography play important roles in the quality of the coffee enjoyed by the consumer.

The caffeine in the flowers of the coffee plant repels certain insects, but attracts pollinators such as honeybees.

The Ernst family, owners of Allesbeste Boerdery in Tzaneen, Limpopo, have distinguished themselves as leaders in South Africa’s avocado industry. The business is managed jointly by Dr. André Ernst, his wife Liezel, and their sons Zander and Edrean.

In 2016, in keeping with the family’s pioneering spirit, Zander Ernst decided to diversify their operation by adding coffee production. A coffee lover himself, he had long been interested in the crop.

“As farmers, we need to identify new opportunities to help us remain competitive and mitigate risk,” he says.

After much research, he decided to establish small coffee plantations in the Modjadjiskloof and Magoebaskloof areas.

He admits that they were cautious at first, being uncertain about the feasibility of coffee production. “We didn’t have precise figures to determine production costs in our area and couldn’t properly calculate the expected income, as this would depend not only on the yield but also and most importantly on the quality of the beans.”