Booming blueberry industry eyes Asian markets

Blueberries being processed at a factory. Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall

“If we gained access to the Chinese market, for example, we could create an additional 12,000 jobs in South Africa, increasing the industry’s projected employment numbers from 14,000 in 2023 to 26,000,” said Jean Kotzé, the chair of the South African Berry Producers Association. “Amid the doom and gloom of South Africa’s recently released unemployment figures, this is a very good story to tell. But the story can be so much better if South Africa’s blueberry industry can gain access to core export markets in the Far East,” said Kotzé.Kotzé said the potential to grow the export markets is huge. At present, approximately 70% of blueberries produced locally are destined for export markets.

“We also have shorter transit times to markets in the East compared to our competitors, and the ability to expand production throughout SA due to the versatility of blueberry crops, which can be grown virtually anywhere.

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