Major change for South Africa’s beloved Mrs Ball’s Chutney
· The South African
One of South Africa’s most recognisable food brands has entered a new era, with Tiger Brands bringing production of Mrs Ball’s Chutney under its own roof for the first time as part of a R200 million-plus transformation of its historic Paarl manufacturing facility.
The newly launched Paarl Culinary mega-site, built around a factory first established in 1903, now includes dedicated production facilities for vinegar, Mrs Ball’s Chutney and jam packaging – strengthening local manufacturing capability and securing the future supply of some of Tiger Brands’ most-loved products.
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Improve quality control
Previously manufactured by a third party, Mrs Ball’s Chutney is now produced at the Paarl facility, where three production lines have been installed to manufacture the brand’s popular 470g glass pack, 375g, 800g and 1.1kg PET packs, as well as bulk 3kg and 6.25kg formats.
Tiger Brands said bringing production of the iconic condiment in-house would improve quality control, strengthen supply security and support greater efficiency across its operations.
“By bringing Mrs Ball’s in-house, by securing our vinegar supply, and by improving our packaging, we are focused on driving growth and better meeting consumer needs,” said Dumo Mfini, Managing Director of Culinary at Tiger Brands.
The move forms part of Tiger Brands’ wider strategy to invest in its manufacturing network and increase localisation across its portfolio.
New vinegar plant
The Paarl site has a long association with South African food heritage. The facility is historically linked to the production of All Gold Tomato Sauce and Silver Leaf jams, and today serves as a manufacturing hub for brands including Mrs Ball’s Chutney, All Gold Jam, Hugo’s Jam, Colman’s sauces and Crosse & Blackwell products.
The upgraded facility also includes a new vinegar plant capable of producing three million litres annually.
Vinegar is a key ingredient in products such as Mrs Ball’s Chutney, All Gold Tomato Sauce and Crosse & Blackwell Mayonnaise, with the new capacity reducing reliance on external suppliers.
The investment has also strengthened links with local agricultural suppliers, with Tiger Brands sourcing ingredients from Western Cape growers, including onions for Mrs Ball’s Sweet Chilli Sauce from farms in Villiersdorp and Grabouw.
Household favourite
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde welcomed the investment, saying it represented confidence in the province’s manufacturing and job creation potential.
The Paarl development is the first of several major structural investments planned by Tiger Brands, which expects to invest approximately R1.5 billion annually in capital expenditure over the next three years.
For generations of South African consumers, Mrs Ball’s has remained a household favourite.
The relocation of its production to Tiger Brands’ upgraded Paarl facility marks a significant new chapter for the 19th-century food manufacturing site – and for one of the country’s most recognisable condiments.
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From left: Roger Schierhout, Plant Manager Paarl Culinary, Dumo Mfini, MD Culinary Tiger Brands; with Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, and Tjaart Kruger, CEO Tiger Brands and Werna Oberholzer, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, Tiger Brands.