A community-owned raisin farm in South Africa’s Northern Cape has grown its annual revenue to R17.4m, demonstrating the commercial potential of land reform supported by agricultural investment and technical assistance.
Source: Supplied
Elmboog Organiese Boerdery is owned by 114 local landowners through a beneficiary trust and operates as an organic raisin producer in Onseepkans, a rural settlement along the Orange River. The business was established through the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s land redistribution programme.
Revenue increased from R7.9m in 2022/23 to R11.9m in 2023/24 and R17.4m in 2024/25, according to information supplied by the enterprise.
Production and exports expand
The farm manages 94 hectares under irrigation. Production increased from 204 tonnes in 2022/23 to 452 tonnes in 2023/24 and 514 tonnes in 2024/25.
Organic certification through Ecocert in 2022 helped the business access premium export markets. Its produce is supplied to processors, including RedSun Raisins, for export to international markets. The release identifies global food companies such as PepsiCo among the end buyers.
Elmboog is described as the only community-owned operation among eight organic raisin producers in the region.
The Orange River region accounts for approximately 90% of South Africa’s raisin production, placing the farm within an established agricultural export value chain.
Source: Supplied
Employment and community benefits
The enterprise employs more than 360 people in permanent and seasonal roles across activities including planting, harvesting, processing and logistics. A profit-sharing scheme allocates 10% of profits to farm workers, while landowners receive a combined annual rental income exceeding R2.5 million, according to the information supplied.
The business also supports training in organic agriculture, leadership, governance and business management.
“Most of us grew up here. We never imagined our produce would reach international shelves,” says a beneficiary. “Now our children see a future here, not somewhere else.”
The release states that approximately R12.7m circulates through the local community annually, helping to support further economic activity. The methodology behind this figure was not provided.
Funding supports commercial development
Elmboog’s development has been supported through technical assistance, blended finance and socio-economic investment intended to strengthen governance, commercial capability and operational independence.
The Scatec Solutions Broad Based Trust provides socio-economic funding and technical support, with a defined pathway for its eventual exit as the business matures. Blue Sky Impact Investments provides strategic and technical support, including assistance with access to finance, risk mitigation and operational development.
The enterprise’s wider community initiatives include removing invasive alien plants to restore agricultural land and create employment, as well as waste management and recycling projects intended to address environmental pressures associated with increased economic activity.
