Australian fresh produce company Costa Group has launched a new berry growing operation in Laos, focusing on blueberry cultivation.
The project began on 1 March with an initial investment supporting 17ha of blueberry crops at Paksong on the Bolaven Plateau.
Costa Group plans to expand the initial investment over the next five years, aiming to reach 200ha of blueberry plantings.
In addition to the initial 17ha, Costa intends to plant an additional 50ha in 2026 and anticipates reaching 200ha by 2028.
Costa Group CEO Marc Werner said: “This is not only an important project for the Costa Group in developing the company’s international berry growing operations, but also in establishing what we hope will be a major investment in berry farming in Laos that will promote economic development, provide benefits for the local agricultural sector, and support local communities.”
With the investment, the company hopes to establish a “commercial and at-scale blueberry farming footprint in Laos”.
“What makes Laos such an ideal location for Costa to grow blueberries is not only its climate and geographic location, but also the opportunity to export these blueberries to other countries in Asia,” added Werner.
Costa Group, which also grows avocados, grapes and tomatoes, has expertise in both blueberry cultivation and the development of proprietary blueberry varieties.
The company’s blueberry breeding programme, which has been running for three decades, has played a key role in this achievement, it said.
It claims to have developed blueberry varieties and agronomic practices suitable for diverse climates, including temperate and sub-tropical regions.
The initiative is already creating employment opportunities, with 65 local workers currently employed at the site.
As the project progresses, Costa Group aims to further workforce development, providing training and employment opportunities at various levels, including farm roles, specialist horticultural positions, and supervisory and management roles.
Werner said that “when we reach the planned production footprint of 200 ha, our workforce should grow to employing up to 2,000 locals”.
Costa Group’s blueberry varieties are cultivated in several countries and continents, including Australia, China, Morocco, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and across the Americas.
Costa Group inked a takeover agreement with a consortium led by Paine Schwartz Partners in 2023.
The acquisition, which valued the company at A$1.5bn ($930m), included collaboration with fruit grower Driscoll’s and Canada’s British Columbia Investment Management Corp.
