(Ecofin Agency) - Australian company United Exports announced a 5-year investment of R1.3 billion ($84million) in South Africa’s agriculture sector.

The money will mainly be put in the company's local supply chain, which includes several blueberries, grapes, pear, pome fruit, and citrus producers.

United Exports says the operation is expected to create 8,400 new jobs, particularly in rural areas, in addition to the 10,000 already supported in production, packaging, and export operations.

South Africa is the largest fruit exporter in southern Africa. The diversity of the country's climate allows it to grow a wide range of fruits, including subtropical fruits (pineapple, mango, avocado), exotic fruits (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, melon), deciduous fruits (grape, apple, pear, peach, nectarine, kiwi, plum) and citrus fruits (lemon, orange, grapefruit).

Espoir Olodo