AgDevCo Partners With Mahela And ZZ2
AgDevCo Partners With Mahela And ZZ2. Mahela Group, a leading citrus and avocado producer from Letsitele, and ZZ2 Group, a leading avocado and tomato producer from Mooketsi, are developing a 400-hectare avocado and citrus farming operation in Weipe, Limpopo, South Africa, with a non-controlling minority equity investment from AgDevCo.
The partnership enhances Mahela’s and ZZ2’s existing relationship which already combines their expertise as some of South Africa’s largest citrus and avocado producers respectively. The Skutwater project will see the current combined orchard size increase from 190 hectares to 400 hectares under the first phase, with a potential to expand to 1,500 hectares in the second phase with plans to develop expansion opportunities in neighbouring countries, including Mozambique. Skutwater is anticipated to employ over 1,200 equivalent full-time employees on completion.
“We believe that with trusted partners such as ZZ2 and AgDevCo we will be able to unlock exciting opportunities in the global market. With innovative and efficient farming practices, the Skutwater project will not only add to agricultural development in the area, but also create many new and needed job opportunities to people from the nearby communities,” says Barend Vorster, Mahela Group CEO.
The global market for citrus and avocados remains favourable, and with sophisticated and sustainable agronomic practices under favourable conditions in Weipe, higher yields of quality fruit can be achieved, focused on the earlier international market window. “The partnership with the Mahela Group and AgDevCo enables ZZ2’s team to join forces with astute agriculturalists. We look forward not only to make a success of the operation at Weipe, but also to explore other opportunities in Africa with our partners over time,” says Tommie van Zyl, ZZ2 Group CEO.
AgDevCo’s CEO, Daniel Hulls, says: “AgDevCo is delighted to partner with ZZ2 Group and Mahela Group to contribute to the commercial and impact success of Skutwater. We are deeply impressed by the farming capabilities and business ethos of both and are excited to learn from them in South Africa and to actively explore opportunities elsewhere in Africa.”
