Capespan has become the first South African exporter to obtain a marketing license agreement for the registered trademark Kiku, which is used to market Fuji apples derived from the natural mutation Fuji Kiku Brak.
The news follows the recent establishment of Kiku New Zealand, a group of four leading exporters which will help to develop the trademarked variety as a key Southern Hemisphere export.
“We will, together with other partners in the Southern and Northern Hemisphere, ensure that only apples conforming to specific internal and external quality standards are packed and promoted under the trademark,” said a spokesperson for Capespan.
The addition of a high-profile South African company to Kiku’s pool of suppliers worldwide was welcomed by the group’s general manager, Jürgen Braun, who expressed his delight with the agreement. “We’re really excited about our collaboration with Capespan Exports,” he commented.
Stephen Brink, Capespan’s commercial manager for topfruit, said using the Kiku trademark to distinguish a superior product was a secure way of achieving a premium market price, resulting in a higher net farm income for growers.
Under the guidance of South African cultivar management company TopFruit, a meeting will be convened shortly to establish a South African partner grouping, which will coordinate marking of Kiku-branded apples from the country.
Capespan chief technical services manager Jaco Smit said the challenge would be to promote planting of the variety among growers in all South African production regions. “We will assist growers to plant at least 100 hectares over the next four to five years,” he explained.
