About us
Our Story
Cultivating Our Pomegranates
Driven by a 2019 study conducted on Wonderful pomegranates, which highlighted the superior deep red colour and quality achievable in Bonnievale, the vision for our premium pomegranate brand was born. This groundbreaking research not only inspired Ruby King but also laid the foundation for Ruby Secret – our Wonderful cultivar range that delivers the exceptional quality first revealed in that study.
It’s important to note that the Kingdom variety, now central to our Ruby King brand, was first planted in South Africa in 2022. Meanwhile, Ruby Secret showcases the Wonderful cultivar – the most widely grown pomegranate commercially – elevated by our unique Bonnievale terroir to achieve deep red colour and antioxidant levels beyond the ordinary.
Our success is deeply rooted in Bonnievale’s unique climate, where significant temperature variations naturally enhance the intense colour of our pomegranates. Combined with our meticulous and sustainable farming practices, this exceptional terroir allows us to consistently produce exceptional Ruby King and Ruby Secret pomegranates, highly sought after globally for both fresh consumption and processing.
Our unwavering dedication to quality and our distinctive product range – featuring both the Kingdom and Wonderful cultivars – facilitates our continued worldwide export success.
Hannes Beukman, Owner.
Our Mission
To globally share the exceptional quality and vibrant flavour of our Ruby King and Ruby Secret pomegranates, cultivated with passion and respect for our unique terroir, delivering a premium fruit experience to discerning customers worldwide.
Our Vision
To be recognised as the leading global provider of premium Kingdom and Wonderful pomegranates, setting the standard for quality, colour, and taste through our distinctive Ruby King and Ruby Secret brands, while fostering sustainable practices and enduring partnerships.
Our Values
Our Brand Values
Exceptional Quality
We are unwavering in our commitment to cultivating and delivering pomegranates of the highest standard. From the careful selection of our Kingdom and Wonderful varieties to our meticulous farming and handling practices, we strive for excellence in every Ruby King and Ruby Secret pomegranate, ensuring a premium experience for our customers worldwide.
Global Partnerships
We believe in building strong, collaborative relationships with our partners across the globe. Through open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to quality, we aim to create lasting value and ensure a seamless and reliable supply of our premium Ruby King and Ruby Secret pomegranates to meet international demand.
Sustainable Practices
We recognise the vital role of our environment and are dedicated to sustainable farming practices. We aim to minimise our environmental impact, conserve natural resources, and nurture the land that yields our exceptional fruit, ensuring a healthy ecosystem for generations to come.
Our Sustainable Approach
Our Sustainable Farming Approach
Sustainable farming across the board – At Boesmansdrift Boerdery, while not certified organic, we actively embrace some organic principles and techniques in our farming practices. Recognising the increasing global emphasis on reducing pesticide use, we’ve successfully implemented innovative, eco-friendly methods. These include strategically using beneficial insects for natural pest control and introducing bees to carry beneficial fungal spores into pomegranate flowers, providing a natural and effective means of controlling fruit rot.
Eco-Friendly Pest Control
Responding to the global call for reduced pesticide use, we’ve successfully implemented nature-friendly methods for managing pests and diseases in our orchards. This includes introducing beneficial insects for natural pest control and harnessing bees to naturally control fruit rot fungus by carrying beneficial spores to the flowers, ensuring healthy, high-quality fruit without harmful chemicals.
Thriving Wildlife on Our Land
The thriving wildlife on our farm – including springbok, duiker, grysbok, porcupines, and beavers finding refuge in our vineyards and orchards – testifies to the ecological balance we strive for. The Bonnievale landscape naturally provides ample space for wildlife, with only around 25% of our land being arable. Furthermore, we’ve observed a significant return of various bird species over the past three decades, including the majestic fish eagle, a regular sight and sound on our farm. This reinforces our belief that our practices support a healthy and flourishing ecosystem
Export markets
Our Global Exporting
Boesmansdrift Boerdery proudly exports our premium Ruby King Kingdom cultivar and Ruby Secret Wonderful cultivar pomegranates globally, bringing the exceptional quality and flavour of our Bonnievale-grown fruit to discerning customers. Our meticulously managed export process ensures freshness and integrity through:
- Rigorous Quality Control: Selecting only the finest Ruby King and Ruby Secret pomegranates meeting stringent international standards.
- Protective Packaging: Utilising specialised packaging to safeguard fruit during transit.
- Cool Chain Management: Maintaining optimal temperatures with efficient logistics.
- Compliance and Documentation: Adhering to all necessary international regulations.
- Strategic Partnerships: Cultivating strong relationships with global importers and distributors.
Our pomegranate packing is handled by the recently expanded Thornlands Packhouse, featuring state-of-the-art technology, facilitating efficient handling and ensuring the consistent quality of our exported pomegranates through dedicated expertise in pomegranate-specific packing processes.
As active members of the Pomegranate Producers Association of South Africa (POMASA), established in 2009, Boesmansdrift Boerdery collaborates with other producers to address industry-specific matters for mutual benefit, supporting the continued growth and commercialisation of the South African pomegranate sector.
Our company
Our Achievements
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Yearly Grown Units
Ruby King Pomegranates grown & packed.
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Export Markets
The Middle East, The UK, Europe & Russia.
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Yearly Export Volume
The value of total number of units sold.