South African grown blueberries have a key role within BerryWorld’s global varietal strategy as the Group continues to make significant strides towards providing superior tasting berries all year round.
Established in 1993, BerryWorld South Africa has grown into the biggest blueberry exporter in the country with low and high chill growing locations in South Africa and Zimbabwe to ensure an earlier start and a longer season. Indeed, this 2021-22 season has been the earliest ever for BerryWorld in South Africa with first pick for local supply starting in April.
“We are expecting a strong season with exports up by 25% YoY as we continue to work with our expert grower base to extend our season and to deliver the best quality blueberries to our customers around the world”, says Jason Richardson, Managing director at BerryWorld South Africa.
Premium exclusive varieties are at the heart of the company’s offer. BerryWorld and its partners hold exclusivity in Southern Africa to grow the premium varieties from award-winning southern hemisphere blueberry programme, Mountain Blue, widely known as MBO.
After the success of the first MBO releases, new second-generation varieties have started to arrive, thrilling consumers around the world. BerryWorld® Eureka Sunrise™, was selected by worldwide known breeder Ridley Bell in 2014 for its early period of fruit ripening, high yield, and unique flavour. The variety has all the best qualities of its parent BerryWorld® Eureka™, including large size and crisp texture and has been highly praised by retailers and consumers alike.
With a focus on innovation and varietal improvement, BerryWorld South Africa also runs a dedicated R&D site and partners closely with a dedicated nursery, being experts throughout the supply chain, from seed-to-store. They supply both BerryWorld brand and own label blueberries which are widely available across leading retailers in Europe, Middle and Far East, as well as domestically.
The BerryWorld Group continues to build confidence within the global blueberry supply with a strong supply from South Africa and Zimbabwe, continued support from the local team, an expert grower base and global technical expertise, to grow the berry world sustainably for generations to come.
For more information:
Gloria Lopez Marin
BerryWorld
Email: Gloria.lopezmarin@berryworld.com