ZIMBABWE’S growing ambitions in the global blueberry industry have received a major boost through a partnership between Dutch breeding specialist Fruit Vision and Zimbabwean agricultural initiative Kuminda, a collaboration aimed at connecting local growers to premium international markets through advanced genetics and guaranteed off-take arrangements.
The partnership will introduce Fruit Vision’s proprietary Mundo Azul blueberry varieties into Zimbabwe and the wider Southern African region, while leveraging marketing channels established by Spanish soft-fruit giant Onubafruit, one of Europe’s leading producers and marketers of berries.
Fruit Vision General Manager and Commercial Manager Corneel de Kort believes Zimbabwe possesses many of the ingredients required to become a leading blueberry exporter.
“Zimbabwe has a wonderful climate to produce high-quality fruits in the Southern Hemisphere,” De Kort told Fresh Export Africa in an interview.
“As the market becomes more demanding for high-quality fruit, this can be achieved through improved growing systems, regions and varieties. This combination can be realised in Zimbabwe.”
He said the country’s strategic location also allows growers to target lucrative off-season export windows into Europe, China and the Middle East, while positioning itself for future access to the Indian market.
Fruit Vision selected Kuminda as its regional partner because of its understanding of local conditions and its ability to support growers.
“We prefer to integrate a local partner who understands the opportunities, challenges and culture,” De Kort said.
“Kuminda can connect growers in Zimbabwe to global markets through Fruit Vision and Onubafruit, while also providing support with knowledge, inputs and regulatory requirements.”
The company’s blueberry varieties are already being grown in more than 25 countries and are attracting international attention for their no-chill characteristics, which allow year-round production.
Among the standout varieties is Mundo Azul Demba, which De Kort described as “a real gamechanger” capable of producing large jumbo berries and exceptionally high yields.
Fruit Vision says its genetics can yield up to 65 tonnes per hectare under optimal conditions, potentially accelerating returns on investment for growers.
“The high-yielding setup can be a gamechanger because a higher cash-flow return can be realised already after one year,” De Kort said.
A key component of the programme is the off-take arrangement with Onubafruit, which is expected to provide Zimbabwean growers with direct access to established retail and wholesale markets.
“Onubafruit can support growers by connecting them to markets that have been built over many years,” De Kort said, noting that Zimbabwe’s production season complements the European supply calendar.
He added that the varieties have already been approved by major international retail chains and align with consumer demand for superior flavour and larger fruit size.
While significant investment and technical expertise remain essential, De Kort said the long-term opportunities for Zimbabwe are substantial.
He identified funding and export logistics as the industry’s biggest challenges but said the country’s ability to produce premium-quality fruit could provide a decisive competitive advantage over established exporters such as Peru, Morocco, Chile and South Africa.
Looking ahead, De Kort believes Zimbabwe has the potential to become a recognised global blueberry powerhouse.
“Zimbabwe can become a powerhouse if the crucial criteria are met and export systems are strengthened,” he said.
“The opportunities are massive because there is still strong off-season demand in both China and Europe.”
He also highlighted India as a potentially transformative future market, arguing that Zimbabwe enjoys geographical advantages over major competitors in serving the fast-growing Asian economy.
For Zimbabwe’s horticultural sector, the Fruit Vision-Kuminda partnership represents another significant step towards positioning the country as a major supplier of premium blueberries to global markets.
No comments