Lona has been farming for close to a decade after the initial farm investment in 2006 in the Eastern Cape. Today, Lona’s farms are to be found in the Limpopo province, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. The company has an expansion and development program on its existing operations that will enable it to grow substantially in the next 10 years. These farms mainly produce citrus, with Lona Citrus being ultimately responsible for the marketing of the crops produced. Other crops include mangoes, grapes, pears, plums, avocados, pomegranates and various vegetables.
Compared to similar farms operating in the South African citrus industry, the Lona Group possesses key characteristics that enable it to occupy a growing and unique space within the South African citrus industry. As mentioned, agriculture needs to encompass sustainable and environmentally responsible farming and operation practices as well as ensuring profitable yields, a growing business and farmer and farm-worker well-being.