Exporter pushes ahead with major greenhouse project as company looks to offset steep declines in avocado and macadamia divisions
Kenyan company Kakuzi has broken ground on a 30-acre greenhouse development intended for blueberry production, following what it described as “strong results” from its pilot plantations.
As of June 2026, the firm said its blueberry production had reached 42 tonnes, up from 8.4 tonnes in the same period last year.
The venture, which Kakuzi said supported its strategy to diversify its revenue streams, marks the adoption of blueberries as Kakuzi’s third commercial ‘superfood’ crop.
Confirming the next stage of greenhouse development project, Kakuzi managing director Chris Flowers said the blueberry pilot project had registered “tremendous success” at the crop variety selection stage.
The firm’s crop trials, he noted, had returned positive results, including commercial viability.
“Kakuzi has been actively working to diversify its revenue streams, and our blueberry operations are part of this foundation,” Flowers said. “Our blueberry production has increased in line with expectations. This venture is now profitable and has recorded a half-year profit of Sh13mn, recovering from the Sh17 million loss posted for the same period last year.”
He added: “We anticipate that production will meet our annual field production and business revenue projections. The market demand both domestically and in our key international markets remains strong, with prices exceeding expectations.”
The group is also exploring long‑life avocado products, including frozen pulp and oil production for export markets.
Kakuzi has been under pressure over the past couple of years as the performance of its fruit export business – mainly avocados and macadamias – has suffered.
In August, it posted a half-year profit of Sh7.11mn, down 97.6 per cent. Sales were reported down 26 per cent to Sh1.12bn, with its avocado profit nearly halved and macadamia profits 79 per cent lower, according to The Kenyan Wall Street.
Gross profit was also down, by 82.5 per cent to Sh114.5mn, with an operating loss of Sh26.6mn standing in contrast to a Sh396.9mn profit a year earlier.
