Lucentlands Podcast | Harvesting Agriculture Knowledge

• The Rise of Peru’s Blueberry Empire | Ep. 103

  This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: ⁠https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromo⁠Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Luis Miguel Vegas, General Manager of Proarándanos – the Peruvian Blueberry Growers and Exporters Association.From a country once barely present in the blueberry trade, Peru has risen to become the world’s leading blueberry exporter. Luis shares how favorable climate, private-sector leadership, government support, and global trade agreements combined to spark one of agriculture’s most remarkable success stories.The discussion covers how agriculture is now Peru’s largest job creator, the vital role of foreign investment in rural areas, and the industry’s next challenges – from labor and logistics to driving global blueberry consumption. Luis also reflects on the importance of sustainability and diversified ports and offers a glimpse into Peru’s new mega-port projects linking to Asia through the Belt and Road Initiative.Key Takeaways:•How Peru went from zero to #1 in global blueberry exports in a decade•Why agriculture is transforming Peru’s rural economy and reducing poverty•The importance of trade agreements and foreign investment in agri growth•Why industry collaboration and consumer promotion matter for the future of blueberries•How Peru is preparing for logistics and sustainability challenges aheadConnect with us:Website: https://lucentlands.co.za/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucentlandsmedia/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucentlandsmediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lucentlandsmedia/Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1

  --------  

  40:22

  --------

  40:22
• Scaling the Blueberry Industry – Opportunities for Africa and Beyond | Ep. 102

  This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: ⁠https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromo⁠Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Cort Brazelton, President & CEO of Fall Creek and Founder of the International Blueberry Organization (IBO) — one of the most influential figures in the global blueberry sector.Cort shares the remarkable story of Fall Creek’s growth from a small family nursery in Oregon to a global leader in blueberry genetics and plant supply, and his optimistic outlook for the Southern African blueberry industry.From the early days of the antioxidant boom that put blueberries on the map, to today’s premiumization and flavor-driven markets, this episode explores how genetics, collaboration, and a shared vision are shaping the future of fruit production worldwide.Cort discusses:•The evolution of the global blueberry industry and Fall Creek’s international journey•Why Southern Africa is perfectly positioned for the next wave of blueberry growth•The critical role of flavor, firmness, and genetics in consumer preference•How investment and professionalism will shape the next decade of farming•His personal reflections on leadership, learning, and building a purpose-driven companyPacked with insight, optimism, and global perspective, this conversation reminds us that agriculture’s best future lies in collaboration, innovation, and heart.Key Takeaways:•The blueberry market is still in its early growth phase, with major opportunities in Africa.•Genetics, flavor, and consumer experience are central to future competitiveness.•Institutional investment and professionalization are essential for scaling the industry.•Education and critical thinking remain vital for future agricultural leaders.“Our competition isn’t each other — it’s junk food,” says Cort. “We’re all in this boat together.”Connect with us:Website: https://lucentlands.co.za/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucentlandsmedia/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucentlandsmediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lucentlandsmedia/Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1

  --------  

  44:31

  --------

  44:31
• South Africa’s Almond Revolution | Ep. 101

  This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: ⁠https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromo⁠Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Reni le Roux, Sales and Marketing Manager at AMANTECO and founder of The Almond Girl, to explore the rise of almonds in South Africa and what it means for farmers, consumers, and the broader agri-sector.Reni shares her family’s pioneering story as South Africa’s first commercial almond producers, the challenges and opportunities of developing a new industry, and how she’s educating consumers through her brand, The Almond Girl. From varieties and flavor differences, to exports, mechanization, and the growing demand for plant protein, this is a fascinating inside look at one of agriculture’s fastest-growing nut crops.Key Takeaways:•How South Africa’s almond industry started and where it’s heading•Why not all almonds are the same: varieties, flavors, and best uses•The role of The Almond Girl in consumer education and direct-to-market sales•Export opportunities and global demand for South African almonds•Lessons in innovation, resilience, and pioneering a niche cropConnect with Reni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reni-le-roux-3a8a325b/Connect with us:Website: https://lucentlands.co.za/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucentlandsmedia/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucentlandsmediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lucentlandsmedia/Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1

  --------  

  49:18

  --------

  49:18
• Branding Fruit – The Stories Behind Pink Lady & Clemengold | Episode 100

  This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this milestone 100th episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with two of the most influential figures in global fruit branding — Abs van Rooyen, the visionary behind Clemengold, and Peter Dahl, founding chairman of the Pink Lady International Alliance.Together, they unpack the fascinating journeys of how these two fruit brands became household names — Pink Lady redefining the apple category globally, and Clemengold transforming South Africa’s citrus landscape.Peter shares the origins of Pink Lady in Western Australia in the 1970s, how government breeders accidentally created a global icon, and the lessons learned in reclaiming control of a brand that had been sold across the world. Abs traces the evolution of Clemengold from a nursery venture to a fully fledged brand — built through innovation, quality control, and an exclusive retail partnership with Woolworths.This episode offers an inside look at what it takes to turn fruit into a brand: from strict licensing and marketing discipline to decades-long investments in consumer trust. It’s a conversation about vision, persistence, and the art of transforming agriculture into global storytelling.Key Takeaways:•Brand control is everything: A brand succeeds when quality, supply, and marketing are tightly managed across the value chain.•Consistency builds trust: Taste, color, packaging, and presentation must stay uniform to create recognition.•Long-term investment pays off: Clemengold and Pink Lady both took more than a decade to reach retail success.•Partnerships matter: Exclusive collaborations (like Clemengold’s with Woolworths) and disciplined marketing (like Pink Lady’s in Europe) are crucial.•Producer ownership: Both guests stress that successful fruit brands must remain farmer-led — not retailer-owned.•Lessons for the next generation: Focus, discipline, and passion are essential if you want to turn an agricultural product into a global icon.As Abs notes: “Be an inch wide and a mile deep — not the other way around.”And Peter adds: “If you want to build a brand, you’d better be passionate about it.”Connect with us:Website: https://lucentlands.co.za/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucentlandsmedia/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucentlandsmediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lucentlandsmedia/Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1

  --------  

  1:01:50

  --------

  1:01:50
• The TRUTH About GlobalG.A.P. Audits And Why They Matter | Ep. 99

  Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Elmé Coertzer-Boersma, CEO of Agriya (formerly FoodPLUS, the company behind the GlobalG.A.P. standards).Elmé shares her journey from South Africa to leading a global organization, explaining why GlobalG.A.P. remains the world’s benchmark in Good Agricultural Practices, and what the transition to Agriya means for the industry.From the pressures farmers face during audits to the role of sustainability, risk management, and consumer trust, this conversation unpacks the realities of modern agriculture, food safety, and certification. We also touch on technology, AI, and how collaboration can build resilience for both commercial and smallholder farmers worldwide.Key Takeaways:•The difference between GlobalG.A.P. (standards) and Agriya (company)•Why audits matter: ensuring trust, safety, and market access•The balance between food safety, sustainability, and farmer realities•How global standards adapt to local conditions and regulations•The future of certification: AI, collaboration, and consumer transparencyConnect with Elmé on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elmecoetzer/Connect with us:Website: https://lucentlands.co.za/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucentlandsmedia/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucentlandsmediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lucentlandsmedia/

  --------  

  54:29

  --------

  54:29

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About Lucentlands Podcast | Harvesting Agriculture Knowledge