Ballito strawberry farmer sets sights on Russia

The co-owner and Marketing Director of Cappeny Estates,  Yoliswa Gumede  said her strawberry farming business is ready to expand and look for export opportunities outside the borders of South Africa during the Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) scheduled to take place in Moscow, Russia from 20-22 June 20-22.

The farm, which is based in Ballito and employs 12 permanent and 80 seasonal employees, received financial support from the Department of Trade and Industry’s (the dti) Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme (EMIA), to participate in the ITI.

Gumede, who is responsible for marketing the strawberries to the food industry, the public and the export market, said Cappeny Estates is ready for export opportunities and the ITI could not have come at a more opportune time. We are excited to meet potential customers in Moscow and are ready to do business there.

“We would like to meet potential buyers, agents and distributors. Last year we began talks with Russian distributors based in South Africa and they will also be in Moscow at the same time, so this may give us an opportunity to meet with the customers who are interested in our product.”

Gumede said their first participation was the SAS exhibition that took place in Iran last month.  She said they have since received a request for a quotation from the Middle East as a result of the Iran exhibition.

“We are continuously refining our systems to make sure we deliver consistently high quality strawberries and to find creative solutions to mitigate against challenges such as drought or water quality. To be successful in business, one has to identify their niche, work out what will set them apart from other businesses in the market place and work hard to persevere,’’ she added.

“Admittedly there are many challenges ahead and much to learn. There is lots of groundwork to be done such as meeting the standards of Global GAP – from the quality of the fruit to the packaging.”

Gumede is planning to diversify into processing strawberries to produce products such as jam for the hospitality industry and retail sector.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.