Wholesale specimen export — what you need to know before you order.
We believe in complete transparency. Exporting large architectural specimens from the Karoo to destinations worldwide is a complex, costly, and time-intensive process. This page explains exactly what’s involved so you can make an informed decision before getting in touch.
What we supply.
Obesa Wholesale Nursery supplies large-scale architectural succulents and cacti to wholesale buyers, landscape contractors, and developers worldwide. Our stock spans rare and slow-grown genera available in sizes and volumes few nurseries in the world can match.
For reference: a single high cube reefer container can accommodate approximately 100 single-stem Trichocereus terscheckii at 2.3 metres. Every container load is different depending on the genera, sizes, and shapes ordered.
Lead times.
Plants under 3 metres:
A full container of specimens under 3 metres typically takes around 4 weeks to extract, prepare, and pack from the date of confirmed order.
Plants over 3 metres — crane required:
Larger specimens requiring crane extraction are a different process entirely. Depending on the number of arms and overall shape of each plant, we can extract between 3 and 8 specimens per day in this size range. A full container of crane-extracted specimens can take up to 3 months to prepare.
Phytosanitary inspection:
Government agricultural inspection for phytosanitary certification takes one day. We coordinate this as part of our standard export process.
Shipping:
Once loaded and certified, containers typically take 4 to 5 weeks to reach their destination depending on the port. We operate on an FOB basis and book containers through our own freight agents.
What a container costs.
Exporting large specimen plants is a significant financial undertaking. Costs vary considerably depending on the plants selected, their sizes, whether crane extraction is required, and the destination port. The following gives you an understanding of what’s involved — not as fixed prices, but as a realistic picture of what to budget for.
The plants
Plant costs vary depending on genera, maturity, and size. A full container of specimens represents a substantial investment. Contact us for a current price list tailored to your requirements.
Packaging materials
Every shipment requires custom-built timber tables, engineered and constructed on site to support the enormous combined weight of multiple large specimens. Each plant is individually assessed before packing — ISO board is cut and duct-taped around the plant at specific heights, targeting points identified as vulnerable to breakage during transit. Arms and branching structures are individually secured, and timber support planks are ratcheted to the sides of each plant to provide additional structural support during the extraction and loading process. No two plants pack the same way. Packaging materials and table construction are an additional cost on top of plant prices.
Labour
Extraction, preparation, and packing labour costs are covered by Obesa Wholesale Nursery.
Crane hire
Required for specimens over approximately 3 metres. Crane hire is charged per day and varies depending on the number of days required. This cost is additional and will be itemised in your quote.
Freight
We operate on an FOB basis. Container booking is handled through our own agents, but international freight costs from the port of loading are for the buyer’s account.
We recommend requesting a detailed quote before committing to an order. Every shipment is different and we will give you a complete cost breakdown specific to your project.
ISO board protection and timber support planks — assessed and applied at specific breakage points.
Scale doesn’t lie — Anton next to a specimen ready for export.
Ratchet straps secure the timber supports — every plant individually braced before loading.
Payment terms.
International orders operate on a 50/50 payment structure — a 50% deposit is required before we begin unearthing the plants, with the remaining 50% payable once the container is sealed and taken away for shipment.
This structure protects both parties across the extended lead times involved in large specimen exports. We do not begin extraction on any order until the deposit has been received and cleared.
Is this right for you?
Wholesale specimen export from Obesa is suited to:
— Procurement teams managing large-scale landscaping developments
— Landscape architects and contractors working on resort, hospitality, or urban projects
— Established plant importers with the infrastructure to receive and install large specimens
— Developers with timelines that can accommodate 4 to 12 weeks of preparation
If you are looking for retail quantities, smaller plants, or faster turnaround — our South African wholesale and retail options may be a better fit.
If you've read this far and you're still interested — you're probably the right buyer.
Get in touch and let’s talk about what you need.