Blueberries are one of the most dynamic horticultural sectors in Southern Africa. As global demand rises for high-quality, crunchy, flavourful blueberries, growers are looking for dependable varieties, high-quality plants and trusted partners who understand the realities of farming in diverse climates.
Fall Creek®’s commitment to the industry is built on three core principles: Breed, Grow and Serve. These pillars guide how the company develops new varieties, produces plants and supports growers across the entire lifecycle of their operations. While innovation and plant quality remain essential, serving the industry through long-term partnerships and practical support is central to Fall Creek®.
Breed: Leading the way in blueberry innovation
Every blueberry’s potential begins with genetics. For more than 40 years, Fall Creek® has delivered innovative, carefully developed plant varieties that enhance the eating experience and support grower profitability. As demand for premium fruit continues to grow, breeders and applied researchers are responding with varieties that combine excellent fruit quality with efficient production.
With three research and development centres across different chill zones and a highly experienced global team, Fall Creek® is bringing the future of blueberry cultivation within reach. Growers can trial early selections through the Plant Preview Programme, allowing them to evaluate promising genetics in real production environments, while practical insights from the Applied Research team help growers make informed decisions in the field.
Grow: Superior plants, grown with purpose
High-performing genetics can fail in the field if not supported by equally high standards of plant production. Fall Creek® plants are trusted by growers around the world for their consistent quality and performance. Key features of Fall Creek® plants include balanced structure, strong root systems, robust canes and consistent uniformity. These characteristics are supported through the True-to-Type Programme and internal quality assurance systems. Each plant is inspected before shipment to ensure it meets established quality standards.
Fall Creek® commercial platforms, including the Fall Creek® Collection, SEKOYA® and Open Catalogue, are designed to meet the varied needs of growers. Several varieties are already gaining strong interest among South African growers.
SEKOYA Pop® ‘FCM14-052’ is a southern highbush variety selected for zero and low chill climates. It produces fruit very early in the season and delivers exceptional firmness with consistently high fruit quality. The berries are extra-large, tasty and aromatic, with a long shelf-life of up to 60 days when stored under proper cold chain conditions.
Fall Creek® Collection AzraBlue® ‘FCM14-031’ is an early variety known for concentrated fruit production. In low- to zero-chill growing regions, it shows strong potential for high yields during the early production season.
The berry is mildly aromatic, firm and refreshing rather than overly sweet. With its consistent performance, firmness, and storage capability up to 35 days, the variety has proven itself reliably in commercial production environments.”
A new addition, Fall Creek® Collection ‘FCM14-057’, fills an important gap in the Fall Creek® Collection, combining strong plant performance with high-quality fruit. With continuous trait improvement at its core, this variety strengthens the Fall Creek® Collection and offers growers a powerful new tool to compete in an increasingly demanding blueberry market.
Serve: Supporting growers through every stage
Undergirding breeding innovation and plant quality is Fall Creek®’s commitment to serving growers and supporting the long-term success of the industry, with partnerships that begin well before planting and continue throughout the lifecycle of a grower’s operation.
The Grower Support Team provides tailored advice by understanding each grower’s objectives and evaluating site-specific factors such as climate, soil type and infrastructure. Growers receive guidance on variety selection, pruning and tipping techniques and crop management strategies supported by reliable data and practical experience.
Planning also extends to nursery production. Because blueberry plants require between 14 and 18 months from order to delivery, careful coordination ensures plants are ready when growers are ready to plant.
In Southern Africa, this commitment is strengthened by the appointment of Yolandi Copeland as Area Manager, where she will lead the Grower Support team across the region. In this role, she works closely with growers and the broader Fall Creek® team to build strong relationships and ensure that Fall Creek® expertise translates into practical, coordinated support in the field.
By building lasting relationships and sharing knowledge, Fall Creek® supports growers in producing high-quality fruit while strengthening the long-term sustainability of the blueberry industry.
Because at Fall Creek®, the goal goes beyond growing plants. It is about building relationships, supporting growers and continuing the mission of building a world with better blueberriesTM.
