Olive trees can be grown anywhere with a frost-free climate, well-drained soil and irrigation. The primary olive producing area in South Africa is in the Western Cape. Your cultivar choice will depend on the region you are farming/planting in, as well as what you are hoping to achieve from your crops.

Can olive trees grow in South Africa?

Olive trees can be grown anywhere with a frost-free climate, well-drained soil and irrigation. The primary olive producing area in South Africa is in the Western Cape. Your cultivar choice will depend on the region you are farming/planting in, as well as what you are hoping to achieve from your crops.

Where do olive trees grow best in South Africa?

Olive farming in South Africa tends to be concentrated in a few regions in the Western Cape and Northern Cape where conditions are ideal for this fruit.

How profitable is olive farming?

According to the report, olives grown for oil begin economic production by the third year. At that point, the hypothetical 110-acre orchard can net $226 per acre the first year and about $750 in the second year of production (fourth year for the trees).

How much does it cost to plant an acre of olive trees?

TRADITIONAL HIGH DENSITY ORCHARDS

Land Cost per Acre $1,000 to more than $50,000 in California
Tree Cost $6.00 and up depending on size and variety.
Trees per Acre 150 to 300 depending on terrain, pruning, irrigation, and orchard style.
Cost to Prepare Land and Plant Trees $5,000 on average, very variable.

How long does an olive tree produce fruit?

When grown in the traditional open-grove way, olives begin bearing fruit in the tree’s fifth year and have full fruit production in seven to eight years after planting. The slow-growing trees take 65 to 80 years to reach stable yields.

How fast do olive trees grow?

Olives are long-lived trees with durable wood and grow quite slowly. They are officially classified as slow growing, meaning that they grow 1 to12 inches a year. During its first years, a young olive tree can grow closer to the top of this range, but growth slows as it matures.

How much water do olive trees need?

When establishing an olive tree, keep the soil moist, yet not saturated. Water an establishing olive tree once weekly for the first year or anytime the top 2” of soil becomes dry. After an olive tree is established, deep watering once monthly is sufficient.

Do olive orchards make money?

Olive farms are indeed very profitable in the mid and long term, provided the climate and the region are suitable for growing olive trees.

How much is a full grown olive tree worth?

The 60″ inch size is a mature olive tree and thus costs a lot more – expect to pay around $1,800. There are a variety of companies that grow, sell and deliver olive trees.

How much money do olive trees make?

Planted at a spacing of around 5m x 8m, a hectare (2.2 acres) would support 250 trees, which should give you 10,000kg (ten tonnes!) of olives a year. At $1 per kilo, that is an income of $10,000 a year, but that will involve quite a bit of work and time.

How many olive trees can you get per acre?

Depending on the varietals you choose and the cultivation model, you’ll plant somewhere between 100 and 220 trees per acre; some intensive mechanical farming sites have planted as many as 900 trees per acre!

How long does it take to grow an olive tree?

Most olive trees take about three years to come into maturity and begin to set noticeable amounts of fruit. To increase fruit set, it is recommended that you plant more than one cultivar close together. Olive trees like to be planted in well drained soil in a sunny area of the landscape.

What kind of olive trees grow in South Africa?

Olive farming in South Africa is mainly for the production of olive oil, although about two-thirds of South Africa’s oil requirements are imported, mostly from Spain. The most widely planted olive variety in South Africa is Frantoio, at 749 ha, although the plantings are reducing in favour of other varieties, such as Coratino and FS18.

How do I contact Olive Tree Farm?

+27 82 558 [email protected] MENU About The Suites Bookings Gallery Discover Contact The Suites About Gallery Discover Contact Booking Beautiful Accommodation Suites in the heart of Magaliesburg Magaliesburg is a small town situated below the Witwatersrand mountain range in Gauteng, South Africa.

Why choose olive farming in South Africa?

Fruit Farming in South Africa © SA Olive In South Africa, olives are handharvested. This ensures less bruising, better selection and excellent quality oil.

How do you propagate olive trees in South Africa?

It is recommended that olive trees be ordered in the year prior to planting from registered nurserieswho are listed with SA Olive. Trees are usually propagated by means of cuttings (on own roots) by nurseries and supplied in planting bags. Those which are difficult to root from cuttings are sometimes grafted onto rootstocks.