South Africa is positioning itself to become a major global pistachio producer, with plans to build a multibillion-rand industry centred in the Northern Cape.
The long-term target is ambitious: annual production of up to 60,000 tonnes and a 5% to 8% share of the global market within the next decade.
If achieved, the country could rank among the world’s top six or seven pistachio-producing nations.
At a recent growers’ conference in Prieska, industry stakeholders from agriculture and finance gathered to assess progress and discuss expansion plans led by Karoo Pistachios and investment partner Fedgroup.
According to Karoo Pistachios CEO David Muller, global production remains heavily concentrated in northern hemisphere countries such as the United States, Iran and Turkey.
However, many of these regions are increasingly constrained by water shortages, climate pressure and geopolitical instability, creating a strategic opening for South Africa.
Northern Cape seen as ideal growing region
The Northern Cape’s climate is considered one of the few in the southern hemisphere suitable for premium pistachio cultivation.
Hot summers, adequate winter chill, low rainfall and reliable access to irrigation water from the Orange River have made Prieska a key focus area.
Industry leaders say converting existing row-crop farming, such as maize and wheat, into pistachio orchards could significantly boost agricultural returns.
Revenue could increase fourfold, profitability eightfold and employment opportunities by as much as 30 times.
The sector is expected to create between 2,000 and 3,000 jobs in the region within the next three years.
Industry rising from past setbacks
South Africa’s pistachio ambitions are not new.
The first major push dates back to the 1990s, when the Industrial Development Corporation invested R130 million into the Green Valley Nuts project.
The original vision was to establish 1,000 hectares of orchards and a large-scale processing facility.
While the project later collapsed, a handful of farming families continued cultivating pistachios, preserving decades of expertise and laying the groundwork for today’s revival.
That persistence is now beginning to pay off as newly planted orchards expand and export potential grows.
Source: Moneyweb, BusinessTech, FreshPlaza, Karoo Pistachios conference reports.
