On June 11, 2026, United Exports hosted the OZblu Global Grower Conference 2026, bringing together more than 260 delegates – including growers, investors, industry experts, retail partners, and United Exports team members – from 36 countries, under the theme “Building the World’s Most Loved Blueberry Brand.”
Held in South Africa’s Western Cape, the flagship annual event served as a stage for knowledge exchange across the entire blueberry valuechain — from varietal optimisation and farm management to technology adoption and global market development.
The 2026 OZblu Global Grower Conference welcomed more than 260 delegates to the Western Cape, South Africa.
Driving Year-Round Supply Through Innovative Genetics
A key highlight of the conference was the presentation by United Exports Founder and Executive Chairman, Roger Horak, who outlined the strength of OZblu’s commercial variety portfolio.
The OZblu range of early-, mid-, and late-season blueberry varieties enables growers to strategically align production with market demand, ensuring consistent, high-quality supply across all major markets, 52 weeks of the year.
Advancing Agronomic Excellence
The conference featured leading voices in plant science and agronomy, including keynote speaker Dr. Andrés France, a specialist in plant pathology.
Through a combination of scientific insight and practical field data, Dr. France demonstrated how early identification of subtle plant health indicators allows for timely intervention, improved plant performance and optimal yield outcomes.
United Exports’ regional agronomy leaders also shared field management practices and performance insights from key growing regions worldwide, supporting continuous improvement across the global grower network.
Dr. Andrés France giving his keynote speech on blueberry wood diseases.
Strengthening Global Market Insights
United Exports’ commercial leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, China and Southeast Asia provided market-specific insights into evolving consumer demand, growth opportunities and retail dynamics. These sessions offered growers and partners practical strategies to enhance market positioning and drive stronger commercial outcomes in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
Building Strategic Partnerships
Peter Zhu, Executive Vice President of Pagoda Group, takes the stage as keynote speaker at the OZblu Global Grower Conference 2026.
The conference welcomed distinguished guest speaker Peter Zhu, Executive Vice President of Pagoda Group, who highlighted the growing importance of premium blueberries within the company’s portfolio.
He emphasised the increasing role of high-quality imported blueberries in sustaining category growth during periods of domestic supply transition, and reaffirmed Pagoda Group’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with OZblu.
From left to right: Sean Li (Sales Manager for China, United Exports), Jinming Shan (Pagoda Group), Jon Salters (Global CEO, United Exports), RogerHorak (Founder, United Exports), Peter Zhu (Executive Vice President of Pagoda Group), Mark Pidgeon (Sales Director for Asia, United Exports), andYolanda Fan (Account Manager for China, United Exports).
An Integrated Approach to Quality and Brand
From collaboration and co-ownership in genetic development, to cultivation, sales and brand development, United Exports continues to strengthen its vertically integrated model, ensuring consistency, quality and innovation at every stage of the value chain.
With production spanning 12 countries and distribution across all major global markets, United Exports remains focused on delivering a premium product while building a brand that resonates with consumers worldwide.
About United Exports
Founded in 2002 by Roger Horak, United Exports has grown into a vertically integrated agriculture business with capabilities spanning breeding collaborations, growing, packing, shipping, marketing and sales.
Entering the blueberry category in 2009, the company has driven the growth and international recognition of the OZblu brand as a leading premium blueberry offering.
Through investments in breeding programmes and a commitment to innovation, sustainability and precision agriculture, United Exports supports the development and commercialisation of advanced blueberry genetics designed to meet evolving market demands.
