Blueberry growers in South Africa and Zimbabwe have started harvesting the 2025 crop, only weeks after the 2024 marketing season ended in early February. This means South African growers can now supply the fast-growing local market almost year-round while also increasing exports, which reached around 21,000 tons last season. Zimbabwe, although a smaller producer, is also expanding production.
Early-season production between March and June comes mainly from northern South Africa, with the Western Cape taking over the bulk of exports later. A major new development is the commercial rollout of the MegaEarly blueberry variety from the IQBerries breeding programme, bred by Peter Rolfe in Australia. This no-chill, evergreen-type plant is suitable for a wide range of climates, from the cool Western Cape to warm regions such as northern South Africa, Zimbabwe, and even as far north as Naivasha in Kenya.
It is also cultivated in Peru, Mexico, Europe, Morocco, Australia, and New Zealand, with proven flexibility in producing fruit at different times of year through pruning techniques.
MegaEarly conquista nuove regioni
In northern regions, pruning by late September allows the first MegaEarly fruit to be harvested from March, with peak output between May and September. Trials in Kenya confirmed that MegaEarly ripens ahead of all other varieties planted there. Even in the Western Cape, the first pick for 2025 took place in late April in areas like Trawal, Porterville, and Paarl.
What sets MegaEarly apart is not just its early production but also its quality. In 2024, berries averaged 86 durofel firmness, maintained until the end of the season, with an average size of 19–20mm (75% above 18mm) and 13° Brix sweetness.
The variety stores exceptionally well—up to 42 days at 0°C with only 5% defects—and has earned strong reviews from UK supermarkets for its sweet, crisp taste, balanced flavour, pleasant aroma, consistent sizing, and premium presentation.
Vantaggi per la raccolta
MegaEarly is also highly harvest-friendly. Its long stems make berries easy to pick and presentable, reducing picking time and labour costs by up to 50%.
Licensed by TopFruit across sub-Saharan Africa, MegaEarly and other IQBerries varieties are now planted at 35 trial and commercial sites in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Kenya.
Source: fruitnet.com
Image source: MegaEarly blueberries
