South African fruit exporter Capespan Exports has become the first exporter from the country to sign a marketing licence agreement with Kiku SRL/GmbH.
The deal means Capespan can use the Kiku trademark to market Fuji apples from the natural mutant Fuji Kiku Brak. Only apples conforming to specific internal and external quality standards can be packed and promoted under the trademark.
Kiku general manager Dr Jürgen Braun said: “We are really excited about our collaboration with Capespan Exports.”
And Capespan Exports’ pome fruit commercial manager Stephen Brink is hopeful that using the Kiku trademark to distinguish “a superior product” will achieve a premium market price, resulting in a higher net farm income. Brink said he also looks forward to “co-operating with other South African Kiku partners”.
Under the guidance of cultivar specialist TopFruit, a meeting will be held soon to establish the South African Kiku partner grouping. The group’s purpose will be to
co-ordinate the marketing of Kiku from South Africa among all the licence-holders in the country.
Capespan Exports’ 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.
He said: “Capespan Exports will assist its growers to plant at least 100 hectares over the next four to five years. Information on the variety will be transferred at field days and at various Capespan grower club meetings planned over the next few weeks.”
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