With many years of experience in the fresh produce industry, Dane Castle recently joined the abbGrowers team. His mission is clear: contribute to a consistent 52-week supply of blueberries while creating value for growers. This aligns seamlessly with the vision of founder Fred Douven: "We want the best possible financial return for our growers – in close cooperation with our customers."
Short chains
"Our approach is straightforward," says Dane. "We shorten the chain between grower and customer. That way, the value stays where it belongs: with the grower." abbGrowers works with a smart and global sourcing strategy, including farms in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, and Georgia for the main season. Spain and Morocco provide early-season volumes, while Zimbabwe plays a vital role during the summer months (June to September). Peru supplements the program in the autumn. With these regions strategically overlapping, we ensure an uninterrupted year-round supply.
Grower support and smart technology
Dane sees it as his role to actively support growers and help them improve their returns. "We understand what's happening in the field. We help lower costs, provide hands-on advice, and work together to improve fruit quality." Across all growing regions, abbGrowers operates with state-of-the-art sorting and packing facilities, supported by rigorous quality control.
With his deep industry experience, Dane knows what works – and what doesn't. "Choosing the right varieties is critical. A wrong decision can cost growers years. That's why we offer guidance, build strong grower relationships, and help them raise quality step by step. That benefits both sides."
Freedom of choice
abbGrowers works with both open varieties and proprietary genetics such as Sekoya. "Sekoya has done an excellent job in marketing and building strong demand among retailers. As a member, we benefit from that reputation. At the same time, Sekoya gives you more freedom to choose partners and varieties compared to some other IP breeders – and that suits our collaborative approach."
Zimbabwe: A rising power in production
Zimbabwe is still a relatively new player in blueberry production, but has made great strides in a short time. "BerryWorld started here in 2018, bringing valuable knowledge. Then Costa entered in 2020, giving the market a real boost. That competition helped drive progress. I first visited in 2020 with Fall Creek, and since then, production has taken off. Today, about 6,000 tonnes are exported annually."
Zimbabwe offers ideal growing conditions: moderate climate, dry winters, night temperatures above 7°C, and daytime temperatures around 20°C. These conditions produce firm, easy-to-pick berries. All harvesting is done by hand, and labor is cost-effective.
Logistical challenges and smart solutions
Infrastructure in Zimbabwe requires careful planning. "Road conditions aren't perfect, but growers maintain them and use the right equipment. Air freight is a challenge – direct flights from KLM and Ethiopian Airlines have stopped. Currently, we truck berries to Johannesburg for air shipment. When volumes rise, we also use seafreight from Cape Town."
In 2023 and 2024, demand for blueberries was high while supply was limited. In 2023, 90% of Zimbabwe's blueberries were airfreighted; in 2024, that figure dropped to 75%. This year, airfreight will decrease further, with total export volumes again expected to reach around 6,000 tonnes.
"At abbGrowers, we build a strong chain with expertise, partnerships, and passion for growers, customers, and consumers. 365 days a year."
For more information:
Dane Castle
abbGrowers B.V.
Cell +27 66 362 1121
[email protected]
www.abbgrowers.com