Bowraville Blueberries farm for sale near Coffs on the Mid North Coast

The ‘mature’ business, with 21,500 established plants all under netting, is on the market. See why it’s been described as a ‘rare opportunity’.

Described as a ‘mature’ business with close to 21,500 established plants all under netting, Bowraville Blueberries on the Mid North Coast is up for sale.

Across the region the blueberry industry has boomed.

On the Coffs Coast, the hinterland was once blanketed with banana plantations but now blueberries are the dominant crop.

Bowraville Blueberries is located near the township of Bowraville, south of Coffs Harbour, and has been announced for sale by expression of interest, closing Friday, November 25.

Blueberries have replaced bananas as the main crop across the Coffs Coast in recent years. Picture: Trevor Veale.

Real estate agents JLL describe it as a rare opportunity to acquire an established and unique permanent horticulture enterprise, with a long-term lease agreement partnered to a committed co-operative and international marketing group.

“Bowraville Blueberries has been thoughtfully developed to a high standard, representing a mature permanent horticulture enterprise with a committed lease till 2032,” JLL’s Chris Holgar said.

Over a total land area of 11.87 hectares, the property has historically produced a mixture of summer and winter varietal blueberries for domestic markets.

Bowraville Blueberries was announced for sale in October 2022.

The property boasts an upgraded water storage dam and re-establishment of various summer and winter blueberry varieties in line with current market trends.

Bowraville Blueberries is fully leased until 2032 on a triple net basis (commencing rent of $400,000 per annum), with the tenant partnered with the established and large grower co-operative Oz-Group, through which a partnership with the international marketing group Driscoll’s Berries exists.

The property features a favourable balance of land and soil types suitable for high value tree crops, primarily blueberries, as well as reliable water resources including access to a spring-fed 12 megalitre water storage, has a well-developed overland flow catchment design with associated overland flow licence, and a bore allocation.

The property was purchased in 2015 by the current owners as a grazing property, and they recognised it as having the potential and suitability as a horticultural asset.

“Today there are some 21,500 established blueberry plants all under netting, with the capacity to produce approximately 50,000-60,000 trays annually. All blueberry plants on-farm are now producing at a commercial capacity and vary depending on seasonal variety,” Mr Holgar said.

“In addition, an agreement exists with a local beekeeper to have 30 beehives throughout the property, promoting continual pollination of the blueberry plantation in the flowering stage.”