South Africa builds local fruit packing equipment capacity in Paarl

SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa has expanded its local capacity for fruit packing equipment with the launch of the Maftech facility in Paarl, Western Cape, as global suppliers and local firms work more closely with growers.

The facility is a joint effort between MAF RODA AGROBOTIC and Maintech. Maftech operates with a 60 percent shareholding by MAF RODA and 40 percent by local owners. The site combines the production of peripherals, full line assembly, and after sales service in one location.

The partners draw on Maintech’s 16 years of regional experience alongside MAF RODA’s robotics and automation systems.

Local production for a large fruit sector

South Africa produces more than 4.7 million tonnes of fruit each year. The domestic fruit market stands at about R145 billion, equal to roughly US$7.6 billion, with forecasts pointing to R190 billion, or about US$10.0 billion, by 2030.

By manufacturing and assembling equipment locally, the partners aim to cut import costs, avoid long shipping delays, and shorten delivery times for packhouses.

Food for Mzansi spoke to Olivier Jaubert, operations manager at MAF RODA SA, about the focus on local identity and standards. “MAFTECH South Africa is part of an international group, but we remain committed to maintaining a strong South African identity,” he said. “With the group’s global experience, we will be improving standards, manufacturing processes, and the sourcing of raw materials.”

Jaubert stressed the role of material quality in fresh produce handling. “We believe stainless steel equipment is essential in our industry, especially when working with fresh produce, and we aim to make this level of quality competitive and accessible to the end user,” he said.

Faster delivery and wider reach

Local manufacturing also addresses delays linked to global logistics. “By manufacturing and assembling locally, we remove these challenges and significantly shorten lead times,” Jaubert said, referring to vessel availability, port delays, and higher transport costs.

The Paarl site has grown through new infrastructure investment and now offers more than 3,400 m² of operational space. The added capacity supports quicker delivery of equipment and spare parts. Growers also gain better access to automation, quality control, and traceability systems, supported by ongoing research and development within the MAF RODA Group.

The partnership already serves markets beyond South Africa. The facility has shipped equipment to Botswana and plans to supply packhouses in neighboring countries such as Mozambique and Namibia.

On skills, Jaubert noted the need for a broad workforce. “Our industry requires a wide range of competencies, from artisans and technicians to highly qualified engineers,” he said, adding that hiring will grow as construction phases end and operations expand.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.