Cash in on the blueberry boom

Whether in a shake, a muffin or just popped into your mouth, blueberries are widely recognised as having great health benefits as well as being a taste sensation.

The blueberry industry is entering a boom phase and this 8.8ha highly profitable orchard near Hamilton is reaping the rewards of 20 years of hard work and smart development by the current owner.

The property features full integration from the eight canopied hectares of blueberries; the self-contained processing plant for sorting, packing, chilling and dispatching; staff amenities; and extensive utility shedding to accommodate tractors, spray equipment and other associated plant.

A bore, complete with submersible, provides ample water to the extensive irrigation system covering all the blueberry trees.

The orchard comprises 15,000 trees, including 500 of the exciting new high-producing Jaac variety, and is carefully planted into ordered rows in each of the two growing areas.

This enterprise benefits from strong year-on-year growth with an average net surplus of 49 per cent for the last three years. Growth of 59,042kg in the 2017/18 period is projected to almost treble to 176,442kg by 2024 given good growing conditions, especially with new varieties of more vigorous and high-producing trees coming on stream. With this projected growth, net surplus is set to increase also.

And the icing on the cake? A lovely modern home that delivers an easy blend of family living and relaxed entertaining. A spacious high-specced kitchen and open-plan dining and lounge extend to sun-soaked decking that wraps around three sides of the home.

The five bedrooms effortlessly accommodate the needs of family living and provide guest accommodation.

‘‘The enterprise is offered for sale at the peak of its game with the health benefits of blueberries really capturing the public’s attention,’’ says marketing agent Mike Fraser-Jones.

‘‘The current owners have invested, grown and developed the orchard over the past 20 years through trial and error and hard work.

‘‘They leave this business in great heart and will assist in the transitional phase.’’