40468
UNITED EXPORTS LIMITED
Jun 5, 2018
South Africa
Africa
Jul 6, 2018
B - Limited
Active
May 2, 2019
Regional Industry - MAS ME & Africa
Agribusiness and Forestry
Approved : Oct 31, 2018
Signed : Jan 30, 2019
Invested : Apr 25, 2019
Fruits and Vegetables
The proposed investment consists of an IFC investment package of €30 million ($36 million equivalent) loan to Mbiza Trading (“Mbiza” or the “Company”) to support its expansion of blueberry farms and related infrastructure in the Republic of South Africa.
Mbiza is a Mauritian trading and holding company that focuses on the production and marketing of blueberries under its proprietary “OZblu” brand. Established in 2014, Mbiza has quickly expanded to currently manage its own farm (either wholly or partially owned) in South Africa and Zambia while sourcing from out growers. The OZblu brand has garnered strong attention from its customers in Europe with their new varieties of blueberries. These varieties, driven by its fine combination of firmness or crunch (measured technically by way of Durofel) which provides better shelf life, and sweeter blueberries (measured technically by way Brix (symbol °Bx), i.e. fruit sugars) means a superior eating experience for the end consumer. The OZblu varieties are also more flavourful, have very good bloom and larger in size.
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Local Access of Project Documentation
United Exports South Africa
2nd Floor, James Barry Munnik House, 121 Main Road, Paarl, South Africa 7646
+27 (21) 879 2301