Blueberry production is ramping up in South Africa, as harvesting starts in the north of the country. Ryan Davies from United Exports said most of the early fruit is going into the local market where they have small programs with the retailers.
The recent rain has mainly been in southern parts of the country and is not affecting the harvest in the north.
United Export's blueberry production is still reaching full commercial volumes with some farms still in the first year.
"The farms which produced commercial volumes last year are ahead of predictions," explains Ryan. "As for farms producing for the first year the fruit looks good. We are happy at this stage, although we are a little behind our forecasts but we will manage that."
The company is expecting a huge increase in overall volumes this year, last year total production was around 200 tons.
"We have programs in place in the UK and Europe and promotions and programs planned with the local retailers. We are focussing on growing our footprint in the local market and ramping up programs into the UK, Europe, Middle and Far East, those are the four major markets."
The South African blueberry industry is trying to gain more access in the East which may happen in the next few years.
United Exports supplies Europe in the window between the European season and the arrival of the first Chilean blueberries, around week 27 to week 50.
"Primarily we are trying to push the OZ brand, we are committed to this breading program. There is a small amount generic supply and some contracted fruit but we will focus on the OZ brand," said Ryan.
