Our Story
From Seeds to Success
The story of Goede Hoop Citrus is a fascinating journey through time, beginning with Ensign Jan Danckaert’s discovery in 1660 and extending to the modern-day success of the company. Here’s a streamlined narrative of its history:
The origins of Goede Hoop Citrus trace back to December 1660, when Ensign Jan Danckaert of the Dutch East India Company encountered a majestic herd of around 300 elephants grazing in a lush river valley. Captivated by this sight, he named the river Olifants, or “Elephant River.”
By 1725, Jurgens Hanekom had been granted the first loan farm in the area, known as Modderfontein. This marked the beginning of European agricultural ventures in the region. Fast forward to 1916, and the town of Citrusdal was officially established. The Dutch Reformed Church acquired land, and the town began to take shape.
A pivotal moment occurred in 1926 when a collective of visionary citrus growers came together to form The Good Hope Co-operative Citrus Company Limited. This cooperative laid the groundwork for the burgeoning citrus industry in the Cape Province, which quickly demonstrated its potential. By the early 20th century, the Registrar of Co-operative Societies reported 150,000 bearing citrus trees in the region, signalling the financial promise of the enterprise.
In March 2000, the cooperative transitioned into a limited company, rebranding as Goede Hoop Citrus (Pty) Ltd. Today, Goede Hoop Citrus continues to honour its historical roots, focusing on innovation and excellence within the citrus industry.
The reason for the formation of this company is a desire on the part of the citrus growers of the western, south western and north western areas of the Cape Province to co-operate and by uniting, strengthen their own interests and those of the whole industry
CITRUSDAL: OUR FRUITFUL REGION
Goede Hoop Citrus (Pty) Ltd is strategically located in Citrusdal, Western Cape, South Africa, just 178 km from Cape Town along the N7 national road leading to Namibia. This picturesque area is flanked by the Cederberg Mountains to the east and the Olifants River Mountains to the west, creating an ideal microclimate for citrus cultivation.
The region’s climate features cold, wet winters, warm summers, and sandy soil, which are perfect for producing the region’s renowned dark orange, sweet fruit. Notably, the oldest orange tree in South Africa, still bearing fruit, can be found on a local farm, highlighting the area’s rich citrus-growing heritage.
Goede Hoop Citrus sources the majority of its fruit from the lush upper Olifants River Valley, known for its fertile conditions. In recent years, the company has expanded its operations into the Swartland and surrounding regions, though Citrusdal remains the central hub of its activities. This strategic location and expansion reflect Goede Hoop Citrus’s commitment to producing some of the finest citrus in the world, including exceptional navel orange varieties.
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