Tourism and value-adding keeps family farm afloat

FAST FACTS

The Lategan family has traditionally grown wine grapes, delivered to a co-operative cellar, but this has come under increasing pressure due to low margins.

Unable to expand, Lategan is exploring alternative crops to add value to their farming business.

Value-adding, by producing products such as olive oil, basil pesto, Jalapeño chillies, garlic and sundried tomatoes, has opened new doors for the family business.

Heinrich Lategan and his father, Joubert, have to grapple with the constant pressure of rising input costs and market forces on their family farm, Tevrede, which has never been expanded in size. Situated near Worcester in the Western Cape, Tevrede is a wine grape farm of 100ha, with 50ha under irrigation.

“The wine industry being what it is these days, you need at least 100ha to 150ha under vines to offset the low margins,”