In an ongoing effort to align with strong and respected global fresh produce brands, Fruitbox Ltd. recently partnered with New Zealand post-harvest operator EastPack Ltd. to supply Zespri brand kiwifruit to Kenya. 

“We are excited to partner with EastPack via their collaborative marketing partnership with Zespri to represent this well-known global brand. It fits well with our model of trading first-class fruit with integrity,” said Sandip Jethalal, general manager of Fruitbox Ltd., shortly after the first shipment with Zespri kiwifruit arrived in Nairobi.

Fruitbox Ltd., a Kenyan importing and distribution company, was formed in 2014 and is owned by two South African companies, Vitanova International and Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, as well as Messrs. Sandip Jethalal and Bhaumik Shah, who both have a long history in the Kenyan fresh produce industry.

Douglas Macharia from Big Fruit with some of the first Zespri kiwifruit in Kenya that was procured from source by Fruitbox.

Modern supply chain and cold storage

While Zespri’s kiwifruit was previously available in limited volumes in East Africa, the logistical route and cold chain were cumbersome and inefficient. This led to the product having a higher cost and shorter shelf life.

The exclusive partnership enables Fruitbox Ltd. to supply high-value Zespri brand kiwifruit directly and cost-effectively to the region’s growing middle class.

“Previously, we sourced Zespri kiwifruit primarily from South Africa and then air-freighted it to Kenya, contributing to the cost chain and the final product price. Our direct supply chain will reduce the cost to the final consumer. Still, more importantly, we will now be able to vouch for the quality and integrity of the product we sell to our customers,” explains Sandip.

When it comes to handling and storing fruit, Fruitbox Ltd. is the market leader in Kenya.

According to Nico de Lange, chairman of Fruitbox, the company is well-placed in East Africa, with an unparalleled supply chain and modern cold storage facility ensuring consistent quality.

“As a first receiver with established distribution channels and storage facilities, we can import full container loads directly from the country of origin and develop the category to its full potential.”

Blue-chip suppliers

Fruitbox Ltd. welcomes partnerships with like-minded companies that share their core values and have a long-term vision.

“Our agreement to market Zespri brand kiwifruit is in line with our strategy to collaborate with blue-chip suppliers into Africa, a growing market for many production countries,” Nico and Sandip believe.

East Africa is the region with the largest population in Africa.

“With the growing middle class in East Africa comes a demand for higher-value fruit such as cherries, peaches, and nectarines. We aim to align with esteemed brands, such as Zespri, Tru-Cape, and Jana Fresh, to supply these products directly from source, which results in value and quality optimisation for consumers in the region.”

Since its inception, Fruitbox Ltd. has offered suppliers an international trading experience in terms of disclosure, transparency, quality control, and payment systems.

“International brands are comfortable doing business with us. We have state-of-the-art facilities and cold storage, and our way of conducting business earns the trust of our suppliers.”

This was echoed by Richard Fraser-Mackenzie, general manager for order and supply at EastPack in New Zealand, when he said Fruitbox has invested in quality product-handling infrastructure and has good local operators with strong relationships to establish the kiwifruit program in Kenya.

“Fruitbox has a unique geographic location and can supply the East African community with kiwifruit from New Zealand. We expect the market to grow incrementally and our green and gold kiwifruit consumption to expand annually.”

Fruitbox Ltd. is the exclusive importer of Tru-Cape’s produce in Kenya. These products include apples, pears, cherries, and soft citrus. Fruitbox Ltd. imports citrus and table grapes from Southern African countries and Egypt.

For more information, please email Sandip Jethalal at sandip@fruitbox.co.ke or contact Lucille Botha at lucilleb@tru-cape.co.za. Visit www.tru-cape.com or follow us on X (@TruCapeFruit), Facebook (@Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing), and Instagram (@trucapefruit).