Frans Loots

Francois Loots’s journey started in Prieska, in the Northern Cape and took an interesting detour through Jan van Riebeeck High School, Stellenbosch University, Parliament and Argentina to St. Francis Bay where he now resides.

Frans studied to receive a Bachelor of Economics degree at Stellenbosch University and especially enjoyed Business Economics and Marketing as his two majors.

He started his career as a financial accountant at the Hopetown Cooperation and worked his way up to becoming the financial manager.

With his experience in agriculture, and through his friendship with Dr Kraai van Niekerk, Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries at the time, he accepted a position at the Department of Agriculture. He was tasked with advising farmers on obtaining financing for the agricultural sector and subsequently became an economist at the National Marketing Council.

Frans also held the position of General Manager of the Mohair Board in South Africa, and with a mission to share his knowledge with the wider agricultural industry, he travelled to Argentina where he consulted and supported the Argentinian mohair industry. He strongly believes in the empowerment of agricultural producers and farmers. He also believes that in the commercial world there is no feeling that compares with being part of a project that leads to progress and success for farmers, and the satisfaction experienced from that process.

Frans still visits Argentina on a regular basis and enjoys advising on business opportunities between the South African mohair industry and Argentina. 

Agrisell welcomed Frans to the team in 2019. His professional background and vast experience in agricultural economy have been great assets in the evaluation of  land prices and calculation of  repayment ability as well as productive potential.

Frans married Sadie Chemaly in 1975. They have three children and seven grandchildren.