South Africa’s Most Underrated BILLION-RAND Crop | Ep. 79

In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Rob Meihuizen, CEO of TopFruit, and Nick Steyn, Business Manager at KiwiKo, about the massive momentum behind the global kiwifruit industry—and why South Africa is poised to play a leading role.KiwiKo, a global joint venture between TopFruit and key partners from New Zealand and China, is pioneering the next generation of kiwifruit varieties: red, gold, sweet green, and traditional green. But this isn’t just about better fruit—it’s about brand-building, early-season supply, and giving growers access to protected genetics suited for hot climates and long shelf life.Rob and Nick break down how they’re reshaping the perception of kiwifruit, the science behind the breeding, the opportunity for pollen production in PSA-free South Africa, and why timing is everything when entering a global market hungry for premium alternatives.Key Takeaways:•South Africa’s climate, logistics, and PSA-free status give it a global advantage in kiwifruit•KiwiKo is developing a global brand to unify quality and boost visibility in retail•The kiwifruit category has exploded with consumer demand for sweet, colorful varieties•Early South African harvest timing allows fruit to hit shelves before traditional suppliers•The industry has untapped potential with less than 1,000 ha planted—but room for thousands more•New growers, including non-traditional farmers, are exploring kiwifruit for its scalability and ROIConnect with us:Website: https://lucentlands.co.za/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucentlandsmedia/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucentlandsmediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lucentlandsmedia/