The Mexican-origin beer, Corona has gained massive popularity in South Africa, but this comes at a cost- a domestic shortage of limes. This problem has threatened the essence of the drinking ritual, prompting AB InBev’s South African Breweries (SAB) to pour about 19 million rand (i.e $999,000) into a local lime farming project in the northern Limpopo province.
“So there was actually a shortage of limes …it meant that we were importing. Importing limes means that firstly, you never really know when they’ll be available and secondly, it drives up costs.” SAB Corporate Affairs Vice President Zoleka Lisa was quoted to have said.
Wandile Sihlobo, the chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, backed up this claim and said much of the lime produced in South Africa was exported.
SAB had in 2020, partnered with the Moletele community which provided the land in the province and Komati Fruit Group to launch and run the farming project that now majorly serves the manufacturers of Carling Black Label beer.
According to Piet Smit, the CEO of Komati, which runs the 60 hectare farm, the lime harvest for the 2023 financial year was recorded to have been around 700 metric tons, over double their set target of 300 tons.
The lime project now not only benefits the beer giant, it also employed locals in the community to become South Africa’s largest lime producer.
