Grow Fresh Produce Agents – Newsletter 11 (2026)

Grow Marketing
Feb 4
2 min read

It is officially February, the last true month of summer, with autumn waiting just around the corner. As we move through this season, it’s important to stay informed and adaptable. A weak La Niña has influenced weather patterns at the start of the year, with expectations that conditions may shift later in the year toward El Niño, bringing reduced rainfall and possible droughts. As always, understanding these patterns helps us make better decisions together.

January came and went quickly, marked by successful budget meetings across the business. Thank you for bringing your A-game to the table. Your preparation and insight helped shape a clear understanding of the year ahead. While January delivered strong turnovers for some and a slower start for others, we remain confident and optimistic. Let’s believe in a strong and successful 2026 for all of us.

Company Updates & Announcements

👶🩷A Special Family Milestone

Congratulations to our CEO, Hendrik Eksteen, on welcoming his first grandchild into the world. A beautiful milestone for the Eksteen family. We wish them much joy and special moments ahead.

Achievements & Milestones

🎯 Records in December!

January 2026 delivered standout performance, with Port Natal Business, the Port Natal Fruit Section, and the Marco Fruit Section all achieving record results.

Events & Activities

📆 Upcoming Producer & Industry Days:

We will update these dates as we receive confirmation.

12 February - SAAGA's Annual Research Symposium
18 February - Korkom Uie Vergadering (Ceres)
5 March - Potatoes SA Eastern Free State Groentoer
17 April - Petrus Steyn Golf Day
17-18 March - Agri-Data Revolution Summit 2026 (Johannesburg)
22-23 July - Potatoes SA Congress
4-5 September - Vivo Boerebemarkingsdag

Birthdays & Celebrations

🎂 February Birthdays – Happy birthday to all our team members celebrating this month! Wishing you a fantastic year ahead!

4 February - Werner Krieg (BothaRoodt Potatoes)
7 February - Nelson Rebelo (Marco Fruit)
8 February - Stanley de Lange (Noordvaal Potatoes)
9 February - Wian Jacobs (Port Natal Veg)
12 February - Isaivan Moodley (Grow Office)
14 February - Bilal Karani (Green Network Potatoes)
14 February - Sue Van Inn (Grow Office)
16 February - Manny Geral (Marco Veg)
23 February - Wendy Bishop (Grow Office)
26 February - Pieter du Plessis (Noordvaal Veg)

Stay Connected & Social Media

📲Follow us for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and team celebrations! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok – check out our latest posts!