Dole South Africa, Mahela Group form joint venture at Letaba Pakkers packhouse

SOUTH AFRICA – Dole South Africa and the Mahela Group have formed a joint venture at the Letaba Pakkers packhouse in Limpopo, bringing the two companies together under a 50 50 shareholding structure.

The agreement combines the facilities, staff capacity, and commercial work of both companies at the existing packhouse. The partners say the move will support growers who use the facility and help improve the way fruit and other produce move through the packing process.

Hannes Nieuwoudt, managing director of Dole South Africa, said the collaboration marks an important step for the packhouse and the growers who depend on it.

“This partnership represents a strategic step forward for Dole South Africa and the Letaba Pakkers facility,” he said.

“Not only will it support regional employment and contribute positively to the local economy, but it also combines our respective strengths to create a strong platform to serve producers with efficiency, transparency, and long term stability.”

Focus on growers and packing services

The companies said the joint venture will focus on building a multi produce packing operation that serves farmers who deliver crops to the Letaba facility. The packhouse already handles several types of produce grown in the region.

Both partners plan to improve packing processes and offer rates that reflect current market conditions. The companies also intend to work closely with producers, employees, and industry partners as they continue to develop the operation.

Letaba Pakkers sits in a key farming area in Limpopo, where growers produce citrus and other fresh produce for both domestic and export markets.

Wider developments at Dole

The partnership comes at a time when Dole continues to adjust to changing market conditions.

Dole plc recently reported revenue of US$9.2 billion for the full year ending December 31, 2025. The figure represents an 8.2 percent increase compared with the previous year.

During the fourth quarter, revenue reached US$2.4 billion while net income stood at US$6.0 million. Adjusted EBITDA reached US$72.7 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share came in at US$0.14, down from US$0.16 in the same period a year earlier.

The company said higher fruit costs in its Fresh Fruit segment reduced earnings during the quarter. A US$3.2 million foreign exchange gain and stronger results in its Diversified Fresh Produce Americas and Rest of World segment helped reduce some of that pressure.

Dole also announced an agreement to sell port assets in Ecuador, with expected net proceeds of about US$75 million. The company said the move forms part of its ongoing financial and operational adjustments.

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