Nothing Goes to Waste
Every season, millions of apples and pears move through our packhouses. Each piece is handled, sorted, and graded – but not all make it into the cartons we supply to retailers around the world. Some fruit simply doesn’t meet the standards for fresh sale due to damage or imperfections. So, what happens to the ones […]
Every Drop Counts
At Betko, water is far more than just a resource – it is a critical lifeline at every stage of our operation. From the moment fruit crosses our gates, through sorting, packing and cooling, water plays a central role. But because apples and pears are food, we cannot compromise: the water must always be clean, […]
The Tractor in the Oak: Oubos’ Tallest Tale
Every farm has its stories – the kind that become family legends, told and retold until they’re woven into the place itself. At Oubos, in the Riversonderend area, there’s one story everyone remembers: the tractor in the oak tree. Legend has it that Oupa Koos was a man with a sharp sense of humour. One […]
Weeks from Bloom: What’s Happening on Our Farms
The orchards are standing on the edge of transformation. In just a few weeks, the first blossoms will break open, covering the rows in soft pink and white. For now, the trees are still holding back, quietly storing the last of their winter rest before spring sets the season in motion. On the farms, this […]
Responding to the Season’s Demands
As the 2025 apple and pear season charges ahead, there’s a noticeable energy in the air — not just across the industry, but here at Betko too. Our packhouses are alive with movement week on week. Cold storage is nearing full capacity. And for the last month each week, we’re receiving record volumes of fruit […]
The Perfect Harvest Time
At Betko, quality is at the core of everything we do. Our dedicated quality team ensures that every apple and pear packed in our facilities meets the highest standards before reaching markets around the world. But how do we determine when fruit is at its optimal ripeness for harvesting? Apples: The Iodine Test & […]
It’s Harvest Time…
February marks an exciting period in the pome fruit industry, with the Western Cape buzzing with activity as the harvest season unfolds. For us at Betko, this time is all about living up to our promise of delivering fresh, high-quality apples and pears to markets across the globe. Recent industry updates show a promising season […]
Laying the Groundwork
As the new year begins, the energy on Betko’s farms and in our packhouses is palpable. The Western Cape’s apple and pear harvest season is just around the corner, and although this year’s start is slightly delayed, we are more than ready to hit the ground running. January marks the culmination of months of preparation […]
Anticipating Blossoms and Growth
As the days grow longer and the temperatures start to warm slightly, at Betko we eagerly anticipate one of the most beautiful times of the year. In the coming weeks, our spring orchards will transform as the apple and pear trees begin to blossom, marking the start of a new season of growth and opportunity. […]
The Seasonal Shift
We’re at the start of winter, and the dust on our farms is slowly starting to settle after a busy harvest season. After months of abundant sunshine, we’re now witnessing the gradual transformation of leaves into vivid hues of yellow and orange. As the mornings become crisper and the last apples were plucked from the […]