Harvesting And
Production
THE PROCESS OF HARVESTING FRUIT FINAL PRODUCTION
Marula trees grow freely in the wild. Local communities play a major role in the entire harvesting process and the profits derived supply a sustainable economic benefit to the broader community. This supportable supply chain method also ensures the continued regeneration and continous harvesting of Marula trees in homesteads and the communal lands for future generations.
During the harvesting season, ladies from local communities are employed to harvest the fruit. Once the fruit is harvested it goes to the processing plant where the fruit is peeled and the soft, juicy flesh produced into pulp for juices, yoghurts and other edible products. The next process is to crack the nut and extract the kernels which are then cold pressed under carefully controlled conditions to produce the magical Marula oil.
With a global emphasis on green economic sustainability, the marula fruit process; from the field to the final product; is all part of the new “green” world now being born, and it ticks all the right boxes:
• green businesses,
• green jobs
• enabling emerging green economies.
Harvesting takes place directly in the veld. From the harvesting point, the fruit is collected by community co-operatives from where it is carefully examined for any non-conforming substance. Healthy fruit is transported to the processing plant, where the fruit is sorted, washed and de-stoned.
The pulp of the fruit is cooled down to 5 degrees Celsius. Once cooled, the product gets pasteurized and aseptically packaged into various packaging sizes.
The stones of the fruit are washed, air dried and sorted. Once this process has been completed, the stones are de-corted (the kernels are extracted). The kernels are then sent to the cold oil processing plant where the oil is extracted. The oil gets filtered and stored in food grade containers to the specification of customer requirements.
The complete process is constantly controlled, measured and monitored under the most stringent hygienic conditions to ensure it complies to all relevant legislation.
All marula products destined for the various end-user markets are laboratory certified. Verification of certification may be obtained from the internationally accredited industry bodies. Contact Dudley McKnight on +27 (0) 957 3391 for more detail.
The production of marula fruit has a zero-waste component, as all waste material i.e. the skin and husk of the fruit is processed for animal feed supplementation, household cleaning products, and activated carbon.
Our Objectives
To upskill local communities by creating sustainable job opportunities for its members.
To supply high quality Marula products in various categories to the retail markets both local and international.
To utilize the many health and beauty benefits offered by these wild growing natural organic fruits.
As a responsible company maintain customer service of the highest quality.
To manufacture and process fruit with in a clean and safe supervised environment.
To continue to produce reliable products and services of the highest quality.
To supply a board spectrum of clientele; - from start-ups to commercial entities.
To create consumer-friendly platforms for all markets who wish to procure these unique products
Target markets
Edibles
The edible by products like flesh and juice will be supplied to juice and beverage manufactures.
Essential Oils
The highly valuable oils produced by the Marual fruit will be supplied to the local and international health, beauty, cosmetic and skin care industry.
By-products
By-products such as activated carbon manufactured from the kernel’s husk is supplied to the water and mineral purification industries.
Other by-products
Other by-products such as vinegar are manufactured for household use.
METHODS OF PRODUCING MARULA PRODUCTS
Harvesting
Harvesting stations are set up in various regions of Limpopo and surrounding provinces. Members of the local communities are mobilized to harvest the fruit and are compensated for their supply.
Processing
The fruit is taken to the processing plant where it goes through and air rated washing and hand sorting process.
Sate of the art modern technology
Sate of the art modern technology is utilized under in a highly hygienic environment to facilitate the manufacturing processes such as harvesting the skin, pulp and de-stoning the fruit.
System monitoring
All processing and pasteurizers systems are monitored in the beverage lines.
Hygienically controlled
Hygienically controlled, aseptic packaging technology is applied for the processing of beverage products.
Extraction methods
The oil from the kernel is extracted through the newest cold pressed oil extraction methods.