Sustainable Practices Bring Up South African Blueberry Production

Published Feb 14, 2022

In the past five years, South African blueberry production and exports have reported steady growth, reaching an export volume of 20,013 tons in the 2021/2022 season. Sustainable practices have been an influential factor for this growth since it enhances the lives of plantation workers, their families, and the community while decreasing production costs, increasing labor productivity, production, and exports.

The South African blueberry industry has seen exponential growth based on a year-on-year trajectory. According to Berries ZA, South African blueberry exports increased by 28.3% since the 2020/2021 season when exports reached 14,376 tons of blueberries, whereas in the 2021/2022 season exports reached 20,013 tons.

Source: Berries ZA

An important factor that contributed to this growth is the implementation of sustainable practices to enhance the lives of plantation workers, their families, and the community while increasing production and exports. Over the past five years, the implementation of sustainable practices and industry growth has created over 50,000 full-time jobs, which have improved the livelihood of South African communities.

According to Horti Daily, growers have joined the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and have multiple projects happening at the farms. Sustainability projects include renewable energy, waste reduction, recycling programs, reforestation strategies, and biodiversity schemes. On the social side, farms are joining movements to enhance the life of local communities that include working with non-profit organizations that provide resources, like sanitary items, to underprivileged communities.

Sustainable strategies decrease production costs, increase labor productivity, and increase production. South African farmers are also taking advantage of sustainable practices to market their blueberries to modern-conscious consumers. Marketing campaigns that hold sustainability as the theme are being held in the European Union, where there is an increase in the number of consumers demanding produce harvested in a socially and environmentally conscious manner. Currently, Germany is a great target market for South African blueberries. Projections state that over 3,000 tons of South African blueberries will be exported to Germany this season and that exports will keep growing to this destination.

Sustainable practices create high-quality blueberries that are in harmony with the environment and the community. According to Tridge's Engagement Manager located in South Africa, Elton Greeve, it is expected that South African blueberry production will boost in the 2022/2023 season due to an increase in planted areas, sustainable practices, and technology implementation. Production is projected to reach 50,000 tons and exports expected to reach 35,000 tons, which will place South Africa as one of the top five blueberry exporting countries.