Citrogold creates access to new varieties from around the world, while allowing South African breeders to commercialise their own products. Their main clients are plant breeders, variety owners and citrus producers worldwide.
The company offers plant breeders and developers a platform for the commercialisation of new varieties, with a strong focus on technical evaluation of the varieties to advise and guide breeders on the commercial potential of these varieties.
For early adopter growers, it offers an opportunity to participate in the early commercialisation of new varieties, with business models that include the implementation of limited plantings and recognise the growers’ investment and risk.
The company started with a relatively small client base, since there is generally a limited number of pioneers willing to take a risk on new products. Once the products are proven, however, the masses follow. Today, Citrogold has over a thousand growers and forty breeders globally making use of their services.
Citrogold is closely affiliated with other players in the industry, such as nurseries, tissue laboratories, international technical experts and marketing agents and can thus offer any prospective clients what they call “the whole package.”
A wide range of soft citrus varieties is planted in South Africa. This can roughly be divided into three groups: mandarins, clementines, and...