Norway’s development finance institution, Norfund, has invested over R100 million to support a farmer-led acquisition of Langeberg Foods, one of South Africa’s largest canned-fruit producers. The deal transfers ownership from Tiger Brands to a new consortium made up of about 90 fruit farmers, Norfund, and the Langeberg Community Trust.

The transaction, which took effect at the start of this month, secures thousands of jobs in the Western Cape’s Breede River Valley and will modernise the processing facility in the small town of Ashton. Tiger Brands has committed a further R31 million to upgrade the factory’s effluent-treatment plant and R150 million to capitalise the Langeberg Community Trust, which will ensure local workers share in future profits.

New Langeberg Foods CEO Edwin Kriel said the company’s goal is to “honour South Africa’s proud fruit heritage” while driving export growth and community development. More than 80% of Langeberg’s production, mainly canned fruit and purées, is sold abroad, and the new ownership model is designed to strengthen both global competitiveness and farmer participation in the value chain.