Kakuzi Expands Into Blueberries With New 30-Acre Greenhouse Project

Listed agribusiness firm Kakuzi Plc has started developing a 30-acre greenhouse project to expand its blueberry production as the company diversifies its revenue streams.

The project adds blueberries to Kakuzi’s portfolio of superfood crops, alongside macadamia and avocado.

The company said its blueberry pilot project has registered strong results, including commercial viability following crop variety trials.

Speaking after the company began the greenhouse development, Kakuzi Managing Director Chris Flowers said the pilot project had delivered strong results at the crop variety selection stage.

“Kakuzi has been actively working to diversify its revenue streams, and our blueberry operations are part of this foundation,” Flowers said.

Kakuzi Blueberry Production Increases

Meanwhile, Kakuzi has significantly increased blueberry production from its pilot orchards. By June 2026, the company had produced 42,000 kilogrammes of blueberries, compared with 8,400 kilogrammes during the same period last year.

Consequently, the blueberry business moved into profitability during the first half of 2026 as Kakuzi recorded a half-year profit of Ksh 13 million from the venture, compared with a Ksh 17 million loss during the same period last year.

“Our blueberry production has increased in line with expectations. This venture is now profitable and has recorded a half-year profit of Ksh 13 million, recovering from the Ksh 17 million loss posted for the same period last year,” Flowers said.

The company attributed the improved performance to increased production and strong demand in both domestic and international markets.

“We anticipate that production will meet our annual field production and business revenue projections. The market demand both domestically and in our key international markets remains strong, with prices exceeding expectations,” Flowers stated.

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Company Scales Up Blueberry Farming

Following the success of the pilot orchards, Kakuzi is now developing purpose-built greenhouses across the 30-acre orchard to increase blueberry production.

The expansion builds on the company’s earlier investment in the crop. In its 2025 results, Kakuzi reported that blueberry production increased to 90 tonnes from 53 tonnes in 2024.

At the same time, the blueberry business moved from a Ksh 19 million loss in 2024 to a Ksh 5 million profit in 2025. Kakuzi also reported that new blueberry varieties were performing according to expectations in terms of yield and fruit quality.

As a result, the company gained further confidence to expand blueberry production as part of its wider diversification strategy.

In May 2026, Kakuzi also confirmed plans to accelerate the commercial scale-up of its blueberry operations as it pursued new growth opportunities and stronger shareholder returns.

Kakuzi Diversifies Revenue Streams

Beyond blueberries, Kakuzi continues to explore additional opportunities within its superfoods strategy.

For instance, the company is assessing long-life avocado products, including frozen avocado pulp and avocado oil production for export markets.

This move forms part of Kakuzi’s broader value-addition strategy as it seeks to expand beyond fresh agricultural produce.

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Furthermore, Kakuzi is strengthening its international market strategy to increase the reach of its agricultural products as it has identified markets including China, India and North America as part of its wider avocado export expansion plans.

The strategy also aims to strengthen Kakuzi’s resilience against market and operational risks affecting the agricultural sector.

Returns to Profit

The blueberry expansion comes as Kakuzi continues to improve its overall financial performance.

In 2025, the company reported revenue of Ksh 5.37 billion and an after-tax profit of Ksh 387.5 million, reversing a Ksh 131.6 million loss recorded in 2024.

Meanwhile, Kakuzi maintains a diversified agricultural portfolio covering avocados, blueberries, macadamia, tea, livestock and commercial forestry.

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Kakuzi Blueberry Manager Laban Koima (right) explains package features to Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui (second left) during his recent visit to Kakuzi Plc orchards in Murang’a County, as the firm’s Chairman Nicholas Ng’ang’a and Managing Director Chris Flowers (right) look on. PHOTO/FILE.