Work at Costa

Lou grew up in the agricultural industry and spent much her childhood on Costa’s grape farm in Mundubbera and berry farm in Corindi, NSW. Having studied Agricultural Science with a major in Horticulture at the University of Queensland, Lou found Costa’s Graduate Program to be a natural fit.

“The Costa graduate program has so many opportunities and has allowed me to explore areas outside of agronomy, such as operations, harvest and research,” Lou explains. With roots deeply embedded in agriculture, Lou is excited by the diverse experiences the program offers, helping her gain a well-rounded understanding of horticulture.

Driven by her passion for agriculture and a dream to work with one of Morocco’s leading agricultural companies, Khawla embarked on her journey with Costa’s African Blue operation. After leaving her small hometown in the Atlas Mountains at 16 to study economics, she earned a degree in Agricultural Business Management. Her first exposure to blueberries came during an internship at African Blue in 2019. “I loved the experience, and when I visited the office, I was fascinated. I told my friend that I would love to work in a company as big as African Blue.”

Her determination paid off, and in 2022, Khawla joined African Blue as a Quality Supervisor. She quickly progressed to the role of R&D Manager, where she now plays a pivotal part in the Variety Improvement Program, selecting the best blueberry varieties for commercialisation and managing applied research in southern Morocco.

“What I love most about my job is the variety. From managing trials and collecting data to working with a diverse team of experts, every day is different, and I know my work is contributing to the success of the business.”

With a degree in Food Science from the University of Queensland, Aaron saw Costa’s Graduate Program as a gateway to exploring new regions across the country and different parts of the business.

“The best part is getting to learn from industry experts and network with people across different areas,” Aaron says. His rotations across the country have exposed him to various facets of the business, enriching his professional journey and expanding his knowledge.

Emma thrives on the varied experiences Costa’s Graduate Program offers. From travelling across Australia to working with different commodities, Emma has developed a wide range of skills within the agricultural industry.

“My favourite part about the Costa graduate program has been all the amazing opportunities and experiences that it involves,” Emma explains. For anyone passionate about agriculture and eager to make an impact, Emma recommends Costa as the perfect place to grow: “The world needs to eat, and what better way to assist than by working with Australia’s leading horticultural producer.”

What began as a ‘stopgap’ job has blossomed into a 20-year career for Rob at Costa. Starting as a raspberry picker in Corindi, NSW, Rob has worked his way up and is now the Raspberry Farm Manager in Tasmania.

“We had owned a small café in Coffs Harbour, and after selling that business, I did a bit of travelling and picking,” Rob explains. When his wife was expecting their second baby, the family returned to Corindi, and Rob began working in maintenance at the Costa Berry farm.

From there, he progressed through roles in irrigation, operations management, and in 2018, he moved with his family to Tasmania to manage the 9 Mile Farm. “There’s always been opportunity in the business to progress in your career. The two things I’ve really liked at Costa are the new challenges and the people. You get to work with everyone—from pickers to senior management—and I’ve been supported from day one.”

For Rob, success comes down to people skills and persistence, and he’s passionate about promoting horticulture as a great career choice. “Food is something we all need, and it’s an industry that I see will keep growing and growing.”

Blaine’s journey at Costa began in 2012 as high school student unsure of his career path. Starting with general farm work and maintenance in Tasmania, he’s now proudly leading the berry farms in Far North Queensland.

“The opportunity to progress my career and develop myself in leadership and management came up in FNQ. I was a bit apprehensive moving to a different region away from my friends and family, but opportunities like this don’t come up very often,” Blaine shares.

Blaine credits his success to the role models at Costa who have supported his growth, as well as the further education he’s completed through TAFE, an Associate Degree at the University of Tasmania, and Costa’s internal development programs. And for anyone looking to build a career in horticulture, Blaine says: “If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, this is definitely a place you can make a career.”