Raspberries value chain

Producers source certified raspberry canes or plugs of primocane fruiting varieties selected for fruit size, flavour and extended harvest season. Substrate based tunnel production with coir or peat media is increasingly adopted to overcome soil disease limitations and extend productive cane life.

Raspberries are predominantly grown under protective tunnels with fertigation systems providing precise nutrient delivery. Botrytis prevention through ventilation management and spotted wing drosophila monitoring are critical quality challenges during the humid fruiting period.

Raspberries are hand picked directly into retail punnets in the field to minimise handling and bruise damage. Picking every two days and selecting only fully coloured fruit with intact drupelets ensures premium quality and adequate shelf life for retail display.

Packed punnets are inspected for foreign matter and off grade fruit then rapidly cooled to one degree celsius within one hour of harvest. The extremely short shelf life of two to four days means pre cooling speed directly determines the time available for retail display.

Surplus and slightly soft raspberries are individually quick frozen for smoothie ingredients, baking and confectionery use. IQF raspberries serve year round demand from food manufacturing and health food sectors at premium pricing above most other frozen fruits.

Fresh raspberries are distributed through premium retail channels with same day or next day delivery from farm to shelf. The premium pricing and growing consumer health consciousness position raspberries as one of the fastest growing berry categories in South African retail.