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Blueberries. Why blueberries? That may well have been the
question that friends of Robert and Shannon Auton asked when
they started looking for a site for a blueberry orchard.
The couple had had triplets and were looking to exit the
corporate world in which they worked for a more family-friendly
lifestyle. A rural setting beckoned. Planning to enjoy the
relaxed rural environment they were seeking, they also wanted to
be able to put their collective business experience to good use.
Shannon decided to call in a favour from an acquaintance who
worked in the food industry overseas. He was able to give advice
on current and possible future trends in food markets globally.
Health and organic production methods were big selling factors
for speciality food products, particularly in Europe. With
research, the Autons could see that blueberries might 'fit the
bill’.
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Research
Coming from business backgrounds the Autons realised that
thorough research of the industry they were considering joining
was essential. They had already determined that they wanted
ready proximity to a main centre as a local market and to
provide easy access to export. The rural areas near to Auckland
provided both. However, blueberries have quite definite
requirements of soil type and climate. Generally, the blueberry
bush needs quite a bit of winter chilling for bud set and
traditionally much of the New Zealand production had been
concentrated in the Waikato region. However, after contacting
Horticultural Research they were told about varieties that the
research institute had been developing which would be suitable
for the warmer climate around Auckland. The next fundamental
requirement was the soil type. Blueberries need acidic soil to
flourish. After looking at some sites to the south of Auckland a
friend mentioned an old, run-down blueberry orchard that was for
sale north of Auckland, at Omaha. It was in a fairly defined
area near the beach settlement of Omaha, an hour north of
Auckland, and had acidic peat soils which would be ideal.
Developing the Orchard and the Business
In common with a lot of vine fruit, blueberry plants take a
number of years, four to five, in fact, before they come into
full production. Therefore quite a bit of investment is required
before there is payback. Shannon showed me around the new blocks
with the different varieties they're growing where they have
opted for overhead fully netted areas. These make picking |
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over a
period of time easier than individually netted rows – an
investment to keep picking time and hence labour costs down. On
an adjacent part of the property is a modern, well-equipped packhouse that is overseen by Shannon's production manager. As
well as fresh and frozen berries they also produce a range of
sorbets, ice-cream and blueberry-flavoured juices.
While most growers' main export market is the US, the Autons
have targeted markets where there is a strong demand for
healthy, organically grown food – the UK, Europe and, somewhat
surprisingly, Dubai! They export around 40% of their produce.
Complementary to the orchard, Robert and Shannon have opened an
ice-cream parlour nearby, in the burgeoning Matakana village,
selling their own sorbets and ice-creams – another way to enjoy
the healthy benefits of blueberries.
Blueberry Facts
*The two main types grown in NZ are High Bush and Rabbit Eyes.
*The blueberry is very high in antioxidants, containing vitamins
C and E, and also containing anthocyanins and phenolics that can
act as antioxidants. These antioxidants help the body combat
some of the effects of ageing and assist brain function.
*Blueberries or 'starberries' were used extensively by the
native American Indians as a food source and in herbal
medicines. |
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