Information on Ceres, Western Cape, South Africa

Ceres is a town situated in the Warmbokkeveld Valley, 170 km northeast of Cape Town city in the Western Cape Province. The Warmbokkeveld is climatically warmer than the surrounding highlands, which is known as the Kouebokkeveld.

Ceres is the administrative centre of Witzenberg Local Municipality. The name is originated from the Roman Godess Ceres, which is fitting, as the valley is extremely fertile and is a leading producer of South Africa's deciduous fruit. Ceres is well-known for fruit juices exported worldwide bearing the town's name.

Pears, apples, nectarines, peaches, cherries and apricots are grown in the Ceres district, and visitors are welcome to explore orchards and fruit-packing houses on the Ceres Fruit Route, especially between December and April during fruit picking season.

Ceres experiences a typical Mediterranean climate and experiences warmer temperatures in summer, with intermittent rainfall. Winters are cool to cold and wet, with frequent snowfalls on the surrounding higher-lying ground, rarely falling on the valley floor itself.