In this week’s edition of Gather To Grow, a full house of blueberry experts unpack this juicy fruit’s market, cultivation, and opportunities.
An agricultural economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), Thabile Nkonjane, set the scene by giving a brief overview of the blueberry market. He highlighted that South Africa has become a major blueberry competitor.
“Blueberries have been growing for quite some time, but in recent times the production, in general, has picked up and it is supported by several reasons and factors.”
These reasons varied from local demand to international markets driving our exports, Nkonjane said.
Primary production in 2020 totalled around 20 000 tonnes of berries. This has more than doubled in 2023 by an estimation of around 40 000 to 50 000 tonnes.
Tedious but worth it
Indigo Berries junior production manager, Nosindiso Pepu, explained that the Western Cape makes up 60% of the berry production in the country, followed by Limpopo.
“The climate, especially in Limpopo, there is a problem with frost which causes damage and that’s why we produce more than the north.
“However, it requires a bit of investment because if one were to look at the mode of production in South Africa, one can tell that it is an expensive crop to produce,” Pepu said.
Nkonjane explained that it is because berries are produced in tunnel structures or nets.
On top of that, it is quite labour-intensive. But it is one of the crops that create jobs, particularly in the Western Cape.
“There was an issue with the prices because some time ago, there was a limited export and the local prices plummeted, but as of today, the volumes still remain relatively conducive for the producers,” he added.
During the session, experts also discussed the following:
- Planting times;
- Handling tips; and
- What’s driving demand in South Africa.
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