ALMONDS AND CHERRIES

ZZ2 has partnered with US-based firm Zaiger Genetics. The organisation has licensed ZZ2 to sell the rights to the Independence Almond growing material in South Africa. Similarly, Zaiger Genetics has also allowed ZZ2 the rights to its low chill cherry varieties growing material in the north of the country.

ZZ2 has planted its own almonds and cherries and has licenced many farmers to also grow these crops. Due to the almonds requiring a lot of mechanisation, the licenced farmers together with ZZ2 will purchase the necessary machinery for harvesting and they will also invest in the necessary packing facilities. Today, South Africa currently only produces 10 percent of its almond needs, the rest being imported. Therefore, there are both local and export opportunities for almonds.