New multi-million dollar berry packing facility opens in Morocco

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A new multi-million dollar berry packing facility has been opened in Morocco by Costa Group’s African Blue operations, putting it at the forefront of berry exports to the European Union, United Kingdom, Russia and Asia.

The state-of-the-art facility in Larache, Morocco, is a 10,000 square metre facility, making it the largest berry packing facility servicing the European market. The shed has been designed to handle seasonal capacity of up to 12,000 tonnes of blueberries per year and is capable of processing 150 tonnes per day.

Costa Berry International General Manager, Peter McPherson, who is in Morocco for the opening said this was a further major investment by Costa Group in Morocco through its majority owned companies African Blue and Sweet Berry.

“This facility will enhance the quality and reputation of Costa Group’s world leading blueberry genetics, which have been grown in Morocco for over a decade,” Mr McPherson said.

“The blueberry varieties that we grow give us a distinct competitive advantage in the United Kingdom, European Union and Russia as we are able to deliver a premium fresh product into those markets.”

African Blue General Manager, Mr Avi Wizman said around 200 people attended the opening, including Australia’s first Ambassador to Morocco, Ms Berenice Owen-Jones, government officials, customers, clients and service providers.

The opening coincided with a visit to Australia by Mr Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, who toured one of Costa’s berry farms in Corindi, New South Wales, to gain an insight into the Australian operations.

Costa acquired a majority ownership stake in African Blue in late 2017. The Morocco production area is 294 hectares, with supply from an additional 108 hectares from licensed third-party growers. Further development is currently being undertaken to extend the length of the season including plantings at Agadir located on the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to the Moroccan operations, Costa operates three berry farms in China with more than 100 hectares.

Moroccan Agriculture Minister tours Costa farm

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A delegation led by the Moroccan Minister of Agriculture toured the Costa Berry farm at Corindi on February 9 as part of a two-week visit to Australia that included New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and Canberra.

Mr Aziz Akhannouch, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Waters and Forests, was accompanied by members of the chambers of agriculture and agricultural interprofessions, industry officials and agricultural company representatives.

The Minister said the visit was an opportunity to learn about the Australian experience in areas of training, research and biosecurity, and to see large producers such as Costa in operation.

He said there were opportunities for both countries to promote cooperation.

“Morocco is a gateway to the European and African markets for Australia,” Mr Akhannouch said.

Austrade Director in Morocco Mr Oussama Alaoui, who organised the mission program, said it was the second visit by the Minister to Australia and was aimed at developing new research and training collaborations, developing capabilities in areas such as biosecurity as well as to address opportunities for increased cooperation in trade and investment.

He said Costa, which had invested significantly in Morocco, provided a model for other Australian producers looking to gain access to the European markets.

“Costa enjoys a very good reputation in the Moroccan market and employs a good number of people. It also exports Moroccan agricultural products to the European Union,” Mr Alaoui said.

“This is a very important visit in terms of the status of the Minister in Morocco and as a leader of a political party. Australia just opened an embassy in Morocco in 2017 and this comes as a strong gesture from Morocco that they appreciate Australia is committed to being engaged.”

The visit to Australia coincides with Costa subsidiary, African Blue opening its new multi-million ‘state-of-the-art’ 10,000 square metre pack house in Larache, Morocco.

Costa Berry International General Manager, Peter McPherson, currently in Morocco for the opening said: “This is a further major investment by the Costa group in Morocco through its majority owned companies African Blue and Sweet Berry and will be the largest berry pack house servicing the EU market and will further enhance the overall quality reputation of the world leading Australian bred Costa genetics to its customer base.”

Around 200 people including Australia’s first Ambassador to Morocco, Ms Berenice Owen-Jones, government officials, customers, clients and service providers attended the packing shed opening ceremony and farm visits.

Photo caption:  From left, Greg Murdoch and George Jessett, Costa Berry International, Mr Aziz Akhannouch, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Waters and Forests, Mohamed Alamouri – President of InterProberries Maroc, and Christian Parsons and Sarah Behr, Costa Berry Category.