When you’ve invested so much work, blood, sweat, and tears into your farming operation, you want to ensure your crops grow in the perfect climate and have the protection they need to thrive. Alnet’s wide range of agricultural shade nets helps you create the ideal microclimate for your crops to flourish.

Alnet has proudly been manufacturing shade nets in South Africa since 1963. Over the years, the company has grown into one of the country’s largest manufacturers of synthetic textiles, nets, and rope. Their products serve a wide range of sectors, including retail, construction, fishing, aquaculture, agriculture, and the industrial sector.

The benefits of shade netting on your farm

Shade netting reduces ambient temperatures, helping to limit heat stress on crops and increase their resilience. Less direct sunlight also means less water evaporation, so, it improves the soil’s water retention. One of the key benefits of shade netting is its ability to act as a physical barrier against pests.

Alnet’s agricultural nets are available in various construction methods and shading densities. The density determines how much light passes through the material and ranges from 20% to 80%, allowing you to choose the exact solution your crops require.

These shade nets are UV-stabilised, made with a knitted lockstitch that prevents fraying, and available in a variety of colours and shading factors to meet different agricultural needs.

The Alnet agricultural shade net range includes:

Alnet black: 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% and 80%.

Alnet white: 20% and 40%.

Alnet grey: 40%.

Alnet green: 50%.

Alnet blue: 80%.

Alnet premium: 40% and 80%.

The density of your net matters:

20–30% density: Ideal for tomatoes, peppers, and grapes. These reduce heat stress while allowing enough light for photosynthesis and fruit development.

40–60% density: Best suited for leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, and herbs. This range balances light and temperature, encouraging lush leaf growth while preventing scorch.

70–80% density: Ideal for delicate or shade-tolerant crops like ferns or nursery seedlings. These nets provide maximum shade, reduce water evaporation, and protect plants from extreme heat.

The colour of your shade net

Colour also plays a crucial role in light absorption, reflection, and plant response:

Green: The most popular option, blending into the environment and offering balanced light distribution.

Black: Excellent for UV protection; absorbs heat and is suitable for high-sunlight regions.

White: Reflects sunlight to maintain cooler temperatures, ideal for heat-sensitive crops.

Blue: Known to enhance certain plant growth responses, commonly used in nurseries.

Grey: Helps reflect light, deter insects, and diffuse sunlight evenly across plants.

No matter what you grow, the right shade netting helps ensure a healthier crop and a more successful harvest, and with Alnet’s trusted range and expertise, you’re in good hands.

Visit www.alnet.co.za to find the perfect shade netting solution for your farm.