FALL CREEK® SOUTH AFRICA OFF TO STRONG START

Paarl, South Africa – Fall Creek ® South Africa has established good ground for success in just three years of operation, thanks to a three-pronged competitive advantage: it enjoys a wealth of expertise provided by its global parent company, strong relationships within its region, and it is also deeply rooted in South African soil.

GLOBAL FAMILY, GLOBAL RESOURCES 

As a member of a transnational business, Fall Creek ® South Africa shares in a wealth of world-class resources: premium plant stock empowered by cutting-edge technology, and a knowledge pool nurtured by intensive, decades-long research and global best practices. 

The Fall Creek ® global entity has its origins in Oregon, USA, where the Brazelton family pioneered the industry in the 1970s. Their innovative and passionate mindset forged a successful venture that grew to become the biggest blueberry plant nursery in the USA, then expanded over the next four decades to launch bases across four continents, all of whom enjoy access to the company’s collective know-how, experience and progressive genetics.

REGIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

To further strengthen and consolidate this footprint we have grouped Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) as a region under the capable leadership of Burgert van Dyk. This strategic move empowers us to maximise our resources and enhance our service offering, ultimately strengthening our presence in these areas.

A 'LOCAL-TO-LOCAL' APPROACH

While world-leading expertise and strong regional networks are valuable resources, in-depth local knowledge is just as important. South Africa, for example, is home to diverse growing regions with unique climates and soil types. As such, the company has conducted extensive on-the-ground research and on-site lab testing since its inception, to determine the best-suited plant varieties and growing methods needed to ensure success. In parallel, the local Fall Creek ® team has established strong relationships with its growers.

This local-to-local approach is bolstered by the company’s select range of 30 varieties, a range that promises quality fruit in almost any climate. The tailor-made plant stock is developed through progressive genetics and innovative cultivation programmes that are closely monitored at every step.

CHALLENGES MET WITH ONGOING SUPPORT

Key to Fall Creek®’s approach is a commitment to grower support from enquiries and sales right through to plant establishment and care. This is vital because blueberry growers face particular challenges – such as unnecessary risk and isolation – that need to be overcome to ensure success. It’s a model built on integrity, as Burgert van Dyk, Regional Director of EMEA, explains: 

“Integrity is paramount. Because we put growers’ success at the forefront of what we do – and because we are passionate about superior-quality blueberries – we only partner with farmers whose growing conditions are well-suited to our plant varieties. If conditions are not favourable, we’re obliged to turn down a prospective partnership.”

ABOUT FALL CREEK®SOUTH AFRICA

Fall Creek ® South Africa was launched in 2019 in Paarl, South Africa, to provide local blueberry growers with everything they need to succeed – superior plant genetics as well as in-depth, ongoing grower support. The company is part of a global family of over 550 employees across four continents, a community of the industry’s finest. As a member of this community, they share in a wealth of world-class expertise, a strong regional network in EMEA, as well as local hands-on technical support, and the development of tailor-made plant varieties.

CONTACT

Fall Creek ® South Africa

021 276 3777 

Firgrove Road (off R45) 
Northern Paarl
Paarl
7646