MEERLANDSVLEI | VALUE ADDITION
A SMALL NICHE MARKET
“ It is a very small niche market, but because of its beneficial properties we regard it as a God-given little plant. You just have to use it, even though it is terribly bitter. We have been doing this for 20 years and we do very little marketing. Willie and I are both boring accountants and we farm. But there is definitely a market for it. We can see that from the feedback we receive.”
Other herbs they market, such as buchu and mountain wild olive, are also consumed in blends. Buchu is traditionally used for prostate, bladder and urinary tract complaints. Herman says that taking a high dose for three days is used by some people as a way of flushing the urinary system. Wild olive is traditionally associated with improved circulation and is used for complaints such as varicose veins and haemorrhoids.
WARNING SIGNS FOR ROOIBOS
Herman is concerned about the rooibos industry.“ Total annual rooibos sales are around 18,500 t. The growth potential overseas is enormous, but then we must be able to supply consistently good-quality rooibos tea. The dry years are not helping, and this is another such year, with plantings across the industry at critically low levels.
“ The success rate of new plantings this year is probably the poorest the industry has ever seen and, because it is so dry, many more old bushes will die if we do not get rain soon. A few warning lights are already flashing. If it does not rain, things are going to become difficult,” he says with concern.