Environmental Sustainability

Protecting the land

At Zonnehaven, productive farming and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Across our footprint in the Ceres–Bokkeveld region, we protect natural habitats, conserve critical water sources and embed regenerative, climate-smart practices into our orchards.

Alien clearing

Removing invasive alien plants is one of the most impactful ways to restore farm health. Species like wattle, pine, and gum consume vast amounts of water and threaten biodiversity. Our shareholder producers have already made significant progress in clearing these invaders, which has opened up watercourses and rehabilitated degraded areas.

Monitoring Biodiversity

Across a combined footprint of more than 24 000 hectares in the Ceres–Bokkeveld region, 79% of our shareholder producers’ land is conserved as natural habitat, safeguarding over 19 500 hectares of fynbos and critical water source areas.

By using the iNaturalist app to monitor biodiversity, we gain crucial insights into the health of these ecosystems, helping us make informed land management decisions. To date we have logged 728 unique species. This creates a valuable database that serves as proof of their commitment to conservation. This data guides future decisions and helps Zonnehaven ensure that their agricultural productivity coexists with a thriving, diverse ecosystem.

iNaturalist

Energy Efficiency

Zonnehaven prioritises energy efficiency from the farm to the freight process, using energy-saving technologies and optimised cold chains to reduce our carbon footprint. This commitment includes the installation of solar power systems by our shareholder producers at their facilities.

By embedding this thinking across our operations, we cut costs, enhance resilience, and make sustainability a key business advantage.

Emissions reductions

Our producers have earned recognition as a Carbon Heroes. A badge reserved for those in the food and agriculture sector who go beyond compliance and make meaningful, measurable progress in sustainability.

These awards are not just trophies, they represent real systems in place, verifiable audits, and ongoing commitment to improvement.

Carbon Heroes

Doornkraal Carbon Hero

Howbill Carbon Hero

Regenerative farming

Doornkraal Agri, Howbill Farming and Kalos Farming have implemented systematic regenerative farming practices over the past few growing seasons. Regenerative “blocks” have proven themselves with an estimated 25% reduction in water use, as well as consistently higher yields of exceptional quality fruit.

REGENERATIVE FARMING STUDY

Water

Zonnehaven has made water conservation a top priority, combining innovative technology with eco-friendly practices. We are safeguarding over 19 500 hectares of fynbos and critical water source areas. Farms use advanced drip irrigation and automated night-time watering to ensure efficient water use. By using compost instead of inorganic fertilizers, they protect groundwater and improve soil health, while protective netting on 25% of the farms further reduces water consumption. Soon, we will be installing floating solar panels to reduce evaporation, saving thousands of litres of water annually.

Soil health

Zonnehaven recognises that healthy soil is the foundation of every harvest, driving stronger crops, higher yields and long-term resilience.

Pruned biomatter is returned to the orchards, with branches chipped into mulch to retain moisture and support cover crops such as clover, which also provides winter grazing for sheep. Compost replaces inorganic fertilisers to restore organic matter, protect groundwater and improve moisture retention.

Indigenous cover crops enrich the soil, prevent erosion and support pollinators, creating a living, self-sustaining system that grows more resilient with each season.