Southern Africa’s blueberry industry hopes the two-day International Berry Organization Summit in Cape Town will mark a new dawn for regional cooperation and worldwide growth, with key discussions on market access, particularly in Asia
Blueberry players from across the world will gather in Cape Town on Thursday for the two-day International Berry Organization (IBO) Summit, which will set the scene for the future development of the category across global markets.
Southern Africa’s blueberry producers hope that it will also be a new dawn for their industry, both in terms of regional cooperation and worldwide growth.
South Africa’s agricultural minister John Steenhuisen will open the Summit on Thursday at Cape Town’s Convention Centre.
Steenhuisen is leader of the opposition in South Africa and as minister in the Government of National Unity has played a leading role in developing and maintaining South Africa’s access to world markets.
For Southern Africa’s producers, the Summit on home soil comes at a crucial time.
The Zimbabwean industry has recently been granted access to China, although for them the most important work starts now as they must deal with strict Chinese phytosanitary protocols.
It is no secret that South Africa is also keenly awaiting better access in the East, to balance their sales between the UK and Europe and new destinations.
Berries ZA chief executive Brent Walsh recently returned from the East but admitted that progress with the new access negotiations with China is slow.
In the background is the power of Peru, which in many ways determines the success of every South African export season.
The two-day summit will deal with key topics such as global production, climate change and trade dynamics, and will end with visits to South African orchards and packing facilities where the 2025 season is now in full swing.
For the Zimbabwean and Namibian industries, the seasons are just about over, with indications that they completed very successful harvesting campaigns.
The organisers of the IBO Summit said they have attracted an international cross-section of the blueberry value chain.
“They will connect, share, engage, and listen to a world-class line-up of presentations, keeping our industry at the cutting edge of superfood production and distribution worldwide,” added Berries ZA.
