Piet Karsten
Orange River, Green Grapes
Fruits of the desert
The Orange River is the lifeblood of South Africa’s Northern Cape province. The Lower Orange River region, stretching westward from Groblershoop, is South Africa’s most important early grapegrowing region with the hot, dry growing conditions producing crisp, sweet fruit. It’s also home to The Karsten Group.
Piet and Babsie Karsten founded their farm in 1968 along the Orange River in Kanoneiland. In 1980, they bought the nearby Roepersfontein farm – now the business’ headquarters – with their original 15 hectare farm serving as the Group’s testing ground. Since then, the company has renovated, diversified and expanded to 4,000 ha, ensuring the Karsten Group continues to thrive in Orange River’s agricultural community.
Treading lightly on the earth
Today, the Karsten Group’s 15 farms cover a vast area, following the Orange River as it snakes its way through the rugged desert land west of Upington to the Western Cape, where numerous water sources feed their fruits. Although table grapes still dominate, other fruits and dates have joined the sales line-up.
Each farm has its own unique micro-climate, allowing Karsten to ensure a constant supply of fresh produce from early until late in the season. Environmental commitments are an integral part of the farm’s day-to-day activities and Piet’s aim is always to tread lightly and preserve delicate ecosystems.
“The Karsten Group is serious about conserving the planet. Environmental Management Plans were created to identify the priority risk management areas for each production unit,” he says. “Identifying and managing the sources negatively influencing the carbon footprint ensures accountability from all employees for sustainability.”
A business case for nature
Piet understands that the growth of nature and the growth of his business go hand in hand. For the last 10 years, UPL’s “availability and loyalty” has played an important part in Piet’s strategy of balancing profitable modern farming with sustainability and conservation. By providing inputs such as Lifeline, a non-residual herbicide that protects the soil ecosystem, we’re proud to support the Karsten Group as they seek to continually improve their environmental performance.
When he retired as CEO in 2021, a tree was planted on every farm to signify Piet’s commitment to growth: the growth of people, the environment they rely on, communities that surround them, their customers, stakeholders and products. “That is what we enjoy most, the growth, they say if you believe in the future, plant a tree,” he says.
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