INTRODUCTION
Hail storms have become a regular occurrence in South Africa. Residents in several cities are now familiar with incessant precipitation and try their best to adjust to climate change. This does not change the fact that hail storms are dangerous for people and their crops. The people and Government of the country are looking for innovative ways to mitigate the damages caused by hail, but so far, the best measure is hail netting.
Getting a quality anti-hail net could be all between a farmer and unbearable losses from falling or condensing hail. Whether you need anti-hail nets for residential or agricultural purposes, South Africa has some of the world’s most credible manufacturers and suppliers of quality nets. Here is a list of ten manufacturers and producers to meet your anti-hail needs.
Understanding Hail Netting
Hail netting, typically constructed from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), offers immense strength and is built to withstand extended outdoor use. This protective mesh ensures plants receive the necessary sunlight, with its lightweight and robust nature resulting in low operational costs. Crucially, its low shading rate doesn’t impede the growth or coloration of fruits. When used in conjunction with a reflective ground cover, the growth outcomes for fruits, especially apples, can be significantly enhanced.
The Imperative of Hail Netting in South Africa
South African orchards are no stranger to the destruction hailstorms can inflict. For instance, a devastating hailstorm in 2018 led to substantial damages in the Western Cape fruit region. These damages translate not just to financial losses but also to potential job cuts in the agriculture sector. Incorporating hail netting can drastically minimize these losses, offering an evident cost-benefit advantage.
Five Key Considerations when Selecting a Supplier
- Quality Assurance: Before sealing the deal, it’s wise to request samples. Post-order, seeking pre-production and bulk samples can further solidify trust in product quality.
- Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Suppliers generally have an MOQ to ensure the most competitive pricing. While the standard MOQ revolves around 50,000 square meters, there can be flexibility if the supplier is concurrently producing similar products.
- Pricing: Price negotiations must always be underpinned by quality assurances. The adage of “you get what you pay for” rings true; a reasonable price usually equates to high-quality raw materials.
- Service: Superior suppliers offer comprehensive services, including installation guidance, ensuring a seamless flow of communication at all stages.
- Delivery & Logistics: Open communication with your supplier about delivery methods and timelines is crucial to prevent any unnecessary delays.
Top 10 Hail Netting suppliers in South Africa
Regarding the two main concerns of purchasers or farm owners (quality and price), we conducted a survey and plotted a quadrant chart. Choosing suppliers with good quality and reasonable prices is a decision that most buyers would make.
Next, let’s introduce these suppliers one by one.
Joyeyou Industry | EyouAgro
- Location: Qingpu, Shanghai China
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 1996
- Number of Employees: 250+
- Main Product: Hail Protection nettings, Greenhouse shade cloths, Orchard Bed Netting, Bird Control Netting, Windbreak Netting, Insect proof netting
- Other Products: Farming Essentials and General Netting Accessories.
From their base in Shanghai, China, Joyeyou Industries supplies its customers all over the world with innovative agricultural solutions. Their wide customer base includes customers in over 30 countries across the 6 continents and South Africa has one of their growing markets.
As an Agricultural Intensive organization, Joyeyou Industries takes the lead in the research and development of effective ways to curb the challenges farmers are dealing with worldwide. However, its textile division, EyouAgro is responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of the organization’s netting solutions. They have been providing quality products and excellent services to their customers in South Africa and all over the world for over 20 years, EyouAgro also offers a minimum of 10 years warranty on their anti-hail nets, as an assurance of the product’s durability.
Standerton Mills Pty Ltd
- Location: Standerton, Mpumalanga
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 1947
- Number of Employees: 500+ employees
- Main Product: Crop Protection Fabrics, Hail and Shade netting, Game Fencing, and Weed Mat Fabrics
- Other Products: weed barrier fabric, safety fence, and geotextile fabric.
Standerton Mills has been meeting the needs of farmers in South Africa for over 70 years, supplying them with the highest grades of quality nets woven from UV-Stabilised HDPE yarns that are appropriate for the sun in South Africa. Their woven netting materials are ideal for mounting on supporting structures without fears of wear, tears, or fading.
Drape Net
- Location: Grabouw, Western Cape
- Company Type: Manufacturer, Supplier
- Year Founded: 2005
- Number of Employees: 50+ people
- Main Product: Cost-effective shade nets, anti-hail, bird and pest control nets
- Other Products: netting accessories
In 2005, Drape Net launched to offer cost-effective solutions to long-term agricultural challenges. Their solution was to create affordable nets that farmers could use extensively and with minimal need for management or repairs. Their unstructured netting options offer protection against hail, pests, and wind damage. While they are easy to remove and mount Drape nets are also efficient solutions to sunburns.
Tenax Agriculture Division
- Location: Johannesburg
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 1960
- Number of Employees: 300+ employees
- Main Product: Plastic meshes, woven nets, fleeces, and fabrics for agriculture.
- Other Products: animal breeding and nursery gardening essentials
Tenax has an international reputation for quality products across several industries, especially in the Agricultural industry. They offer world-class agricultural solutions including their woven anti-hail nets. These nets are made from light but extremely resistant materials that protect the plants from harsh climates without hampering their growth.
Multiknit (Pty) Ltd
- Location: Johannesburg
- Company Type: Manufacturer and Supplier
- Year Founded: 1964
- Number of Employees: 100+
- Main Product: shade net, groundsheet, barrier net, windbreak nets, anti-pest, and hail nets
- Other Products: Netting accessories
Multiknit Limited is a world leader among the netting manufacturers for their synthetic protective nets. They have been supplying different categories of quality nets in South Africa and beyond for almost 60 years and their customers attest to their credible products and excellent delivery. Their netting options also include colorful luxury outdoor nets, windbreakers, barrier nets, and plastic nets for agricultural purposes.
Nets Direct
- Location: Tyger Valley, Pretoria
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded:
- Number of Employees: 20+
- Main Product: shade net, agro net, ground cover, safety net, and other plastic nets
- Other Products: net installation and removal, Planting and Harvest services
Nets Direct offers a wide range of quality netting solutions, including quality anti-hail options that protect crops from the harshest weather. Their evolved production and testing processes provide assurances of quality nets and excellent after-sales services. Net Direct offers nets according to the farms’ specifications and provides quick delivery across all parts of South Africa.
Agrintech Srl
- Location: Eboli, South Africa
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 2000
- Number of Employees: 150+employees
- Main Product: Shades, Screens, and Protective Nets
- Other Products: Netting accessories and installations
Agrintech’s hail nets are multipurpose nets that serve to sieve the light that reaches the plants, regulate the wind, reduce pest infestations and manage hailstorms. The net also supports the development of plants by providing adequate access to sunlight and managing their access to humidity. Agri-tech has grown into a global brand but they still provide adequate purchase and post-sales services to their South African customers.
Vegtech
- Location: Kraaifontein Industria, Cape Town
- Company Type: Manufacturer/ contractor
- Year Founded: 1992
- Number of Employees: 100+
- Main Product: screening, Cooling, Heating, and Protective Nets
- Other Products: Installation and Repairs
Farmers can trust Vegtech with nurturing and protecting their plants. They have been offering their services to farmers and residents in South Africa for almost 30 years, giving them the knowledge and credibility to offer the required services to their customers. Vegtech offers an extensive range of products and excellent customer services with a viable warranty.
Haygroove
- Location: Grabouw, South Africa
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 2001
- Number of Employees: 2000+
- Main Product: Agricultural Nets, Anti-Hail, Anti-Pest, and Anti-wind nets
- Other Products: Construction Nets and Fencing options
When Haygroove launched in 2001, they were also trying to launch into other parts of the world. Today, they are protecting crops in over 57 countries. They offer high-grade products that have gone through a rigorous production and quality inspection tests. The teams of professionals in Haygroove also provide installation and repair services
Shades and Hail Netting Systems cc
- Location: Johannesburg
- Company Type: Manufacturer
- Year Founded: 1989
- Number of Employees: 100+
- Main Product: Agricultural Nets, Anti-Hail, Anti-Pest, and Anti-wind nets
- Other Products: Netting accessories, post-sales installation.
Shades and Hail Netting Systems has the wealth of experience that has benefited several farmers in South Africa. Their team of qualified technicians and a world-class production setup allows Shades and Hail Netting systems to stay ahead of their customer’s demands with early delivery options and up to ten years warranty.
What is the cost of hail netting in South Africa?
Hail netting is a very effective way to protect farms from hail damage.
The cost of hail netting is about R90 000/ha to R180 000/ha.
After adding steel structure, installation cost, and other accessories, the cost of the hail netting system is approximately R230 000/ha to R350 000/ha.
The hail netting system can provide significant protection against hailstorms, as well as many other benefits. It prevents excessive loss of crop yields and reduces the need for manual labor during harvesting. The investment was well worth it compared to the huge damage to the farm after the hailstorm.
CONCLUSION
The frequency of Hail storms in South Africa has made it necessary for farmers and homeowners to find effective anti-hail protection.
EyouAgro provides the best protection and excellent customer service. We have an experienced team of experts who are available to answer all your questions and provide timely solutions. Our products are designed with the highest quality materials, ensuring that you get the best protection for your equipment. We offer our customers a wide variety of options in terms of coverage, so you can find the right solution for your need.
If you have any questions about hail netting, please feel free to contact us.
