Plan to save an important plant in a small Western Cape town

Talks are underway to save Premier Foods’ Fruits Products Western Cape (FPWC) plant in Tulbagh, which supports 3,000 permanent and seasonal workers.

Premier Group recently initiated a Section 189 consultation process regarding the proposed closure of its processing facility in Tulbagh.

This enterprise previously belonged to the Rhodes Food Group. However, Premier Group acquired it in 2026. It processes apricots, peaches and pears.

The plant supports 3,000 permanent and seasonal workers, in addition to farm workers’ jobs. It is a cornerstone of the town’s local economy.

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) initiated talks to save the facility, given its importance to the region.

“This closure will not only have a substantial impact on the region’s local economy, but also on the broader agricultural sector in the Western Cape,” the FF Plus said.

The party was informed that employees were issued letters on very short notice, stating that labour engagement would soon commence.

“Just one day later, the process of removing equipment from the premises began,” the Freedom Front Plus’s Johnny Steenkamp said in a statement.

“The negative impact of the closure is exacerbated by the fact that a plant that prepares juice for the export market will also be closed.”

Three-year supply contracts had been concluded with producers to meet the international market’s demand.

Premier Foods indicated that it will not honour these contracts. Consequently, producers will be left with surplus fruit.

“This is after producers have already spent hundreds of thousands on preparing land and orchards for the upcoming harvest,” Steenkamp said.

It is estimated that new markets will have to be found for between 55,000 and 60,000 tons of fruit.

“Seeing as it is already late in the season, producers will have to foot the bill for this farce,” he said,

Steenkamp said that the Freedom Front Plus is seeking alternative solutions to save the industry from financial ruin.