South Africa’s blueberry quality is high and volumes have increased this year, Berries ZA chief executive Brent Walsh told Fruitnet at Fruit Logistica
How has the South African blueberry season developed, in terms of production?
Brent Walsh: From a production perspective has been very positive. Production was up and quality was good, for a variety of different reasons.
We had a really good climatic year last year, with no extreme frost events to make any significant dent in our production, which it can sometimes do. For example, during the previous year we lost about 10-15 per cent of our production because of frost, which was quite significant.
We are benefiting from improved production methodologies and neurogenetics as things mature. Orchards are being managed better and yields per hectare are improving. That creates better numbers when it comes to production.
What improvements have there been thanks to new varieties?
BW: South Africa has had access to global genetics for some time, and we have seen over the last number of years that those who adopted early genetics – before the significant developments of the last five, six, seven years – are either replacing crops with new varieties, removing them, or leaving the industry to do something else.
All in all we’ve found a net balance of movement in terms of hectares and production.
I think each year there is a higher percentage of newer genetics, and by their very nature one can expect higher yields, better quality, better packouts, better fruit on arrival, and better tasting experience. That’s the whole concept of the genetic development process.
It’s difficult to put a number on exactly the percentage of those increases that are down to genetic variety or other factors, but it certainly plays a role.
Where are your key markets, and what are the prospects for new ones opening up?
BW: Between the UK and the EU, that takes up about 80 per cent of our exports, 40 per cent respectively give or take a couple of per cent. This fluctuates a little bit each year.
We have seen massive growth in the UAE in the past year, up from 1,627 tonnes to 2,630 tonnes, a 62 per cent increase year-on-year. So starting from a smallish number, this market has grown slowly but surely in recent years, and we think volumes will become quite significant in future.
While we will always supply our traditional markets, growth in production probably means we will have volumes heading to export regions to the east of Africa.
For example, our market application for India is close to completion, and we’re hoping to have access for our next export season.
Then the next big market where we want to be present is China. They are currently trying to complete market access there for South African stonefruit and cherries, and once that is done we will progress with the protocol for blueberries.
Join us for Fruitnet Berry Congress in London – click here for more details.
