A story of alignment, growth, and collective progress.

Built by the industry. Focused on its future.

Berries ZA was established in 2011 to bring the industry together and address shared challenges in a more structured way.

What started as a platform for alignment has grown into a collective voice for the South African berry sector – connecting growers, producers, exporters, researchers, and partners across the full ecosystem.

While smaller than other local fruit sectors, the industry is gaining momentum. Annual exports already exceed 25 000 tons, with volumes continuing to rise year on year.

Through coordinated engagement across commercial, research, and institutional platforms, Berries ZA works to expand market access, support technical advancement, and strengthen the sector’s long-term position.

Key milestones that shaped the sector

A journey of growth and progress

Working together to accelerate growth.

Meet the team

Executive Team: Herman van Dyk (Chairperson), Brent Walsh (CEO) and Elzette Schutte (Operations Manager)

Consulting Team: Celeste Smit (Administrative Consultant), Francois Bekker (Technical & Research Consultant)

Directors: Herman van Dyk (Chairperson), Francois Bekker, Bruce Carter, Dylan Coleman, Hannes Laubscher, Johan le Roux, Theo Lombard, Jon Salters and Sean Tager

Driving progress through alignment, research, and collaboration.

Expanding market access. Strengthening the sector.

At Berries ZA, we focus on creating global opportunities while building a competitive berry sector in South Africa.

This includes strengthening standards, advancing research, and supporting consistent practices across the sector.

With a labour footprint of approximately 4.4 jobs per hectare, the sector also plays an important role in job creation and rural economic development, with strong potential for further expansion.

Working closely with government, industry bodies, and international partners, Berries ZA addresses challenges, supports growth, and helps create a more resilient future.