Surviving the troughs of the blueberry market

Three years ago, few would have foreseen that blueberry prices would plunge by more than 50%, forcing many investors to the brink of collapse. Berry farmer Luan Swart of Mpumalanga explained his strategies for weathering the storm to Lindi Botha.

- Lindi Botha

Blueberry production has skyrocketed in South Africa in recent years, thanks to new cultivars that can be grown in a variety of climates, as well as to increasing demand for superfoods.

In 2017, when Luan Swart, owner of Bluedrop Berries near Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, sought a high-value crop for his farm, blueberries were an attractive option.

“I wanted an export crop that would earn an income in dollars or euros. At that stage, blueberry prices were really high, up to R250/kg, and because of our unique microclimate, it was a good choice.” Swart ended up planting 10ha to blueberries of various cultivars and 5ha to blackberries on his farm, Rietfontein.

Temperature is the most important climatic factor in blueberry production, with the optimal maximum temperature being 26°C to 28°C. In this respect, Rietfontein, which is in a valley, is ideal; winter temperatures dip to a minimum of 0°C, and summers don’t exceed 30°C. Swart therefore plants varieties requiring between 400 and 600 chill units.

Another factor that contributes to the farm’s climatic conditions is temperature inversion, which helps the berries stay cool in summer. On cloudless days, heat rises quickly, keeping the valley floor cool.

“Our farm is small, but we have many microclimates because of the topography. We therefore have multiple sensors in each berry block to monitor the climate over time,” explains Swart.