Rooted Global Fruit’s first blueberries, initially from Zimbabwe and then moving over to South African blueberries, will be flown to Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong this weekend, marking the debut of the company based in Hong Kong, and in South Africa’s Hex River Valley.
“We do have a strong focus in Southeast Asia, but we also supply the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the African continent,” says Ryno Palm, director at Rooted Global Fruit. “With the berries we’re currently focusing on air freight. South African citrus will be sea freight, followed by grapes.”
“We plan to make use of the tail-end of the citrus season in South Africa. Our first container of Valencia oranges from the Western Cape has already been loaded for Italy. We’re also planning to supply citrus to Europe and Asia.”
The company’s directors have strong experience in the fruit industry: Ryno Palm (right) has been involved in the fruit industry for nineteen years. He’s worked at both large and small grower-exporters as well as in the retail environment.
Ankia Rabie-Gerber is based in Hong Kong where she has over the past four years established a loyal grower and customer base in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and China.
Ankia has worked in the fruit business for the past nine years and she remarks that the fruit industry in its global span is like no other.
“Being in touch with the market and knowing what is being offered from different origins around the world 24/7 is an amazing advantage,” she says. “By having a connection in both the origin and destination we can be relevant with our solutions and current with our offers.”
Citrus, grapes, apples, pears, blueberries, and avocados are to contribute to over 80% of their sales, with strawberries, pomegranates, and stone fruit rounding out their portfolio, but, they add, they do not limit themselves to certain commodities. They source the commodities from a wide array of countries: Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, Egypt, Italy, Peru, Chile, Namibia and South Africa.
Ankia Rabie-Gerber, Hong Kong-based director at Rooted Global Fruit Co
The company is planning to export all of the commodities under the Rooted Global Fruit Co brand.
Ryno believes that a core strength of the company is their ability to sell different commodities to the same customer base all year round. “In doing so, we stay relevant, and we keep evolving, with our eyes focused on our grower base.”
Ryno grew up on a farm where four generations of the Palm family have been growing grapes. He adds: “As a fruit grower, I know the importance of a model that allows the grower to excel and the market to love the fruit we deliver.”
“I am excited to take Rooted Global Fruit Co., together with Ankia, into this (semi) post-Covid, unpredictable era of fresh produce supply. We will keep evolving and meet challenges with dedication and high energy. Challenge accepted!”
For more information:
Rooted Global Fruit Co
Ryno Palm
Tel: +27 83 632 5004
Email: rpalm@rootedglobalfruit.com
Ankia Rabie-Gerber
Tel: +852 5534 9697
Email: ankia@rootedglobalfruit.com