What ZZ2 does

ZZ2 is a privately held, family-owned South African farming conglomerate (legal entity BERTIE VAN ZYL (EDMS) BPK) headquartered in Mooketsi, Limpopo, founded as a private company in 1965 with Van Zyl family farming lineage dating to 1908. The company produces, packs and markets approximately 209,000 tons of fresh produce annually across tomatoes (its flagship at 176,000 tons of classic and specialty varieties), avocados (12,000+ tons, with 85% exported mostly to Europe), cherries, apples and pears (8,000 tons from ultra-high density M9 orchards yielding 115t/ha versus a 80-90t/ha industry average), onions (13,000 tons), almonds (Al Monde brand via Cape Almonds subsidiary), blueberries, dates (Namibia), and value-added tomato juice (Romanita, with CANSA recognition). Operations span Limpopo, Western Cape (Ceres), Northwest Province, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Namibia, with eight technologically advanced cooled packhouses, South Africa's largest avocado nursery at 300,000+ trees capacity, an in-house 65-truck transport fleet, and the Lumbri compost facility.

The company's primary technology is Natuurboerdery® — a registered, trademarked nature-farming philosophy in development since 1992 that uses biologically-based products for plant protection and nutrition rather than industrial agrochemical inputs. Additional technical capabilities include vertical integration through subsidiaries (Cape Almonds, Vitroplant South Africa plant biotechnology, Selokwe Agri avocado JV) and real-time digital supply chain data linking retail rate-of-sale to farm production.

Go-to-market is multi-channel: domestic fresh produce markets in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town; direct retailer programmes with Food Lover's Market, Woolworths and Shoprite Checkers (SA tomatoes and cherries) and Tesco (UK cherries); and export through Mission Produce (global avocado distribution, including Mr Avocado in China) and Core Fruit (European logistics). Revenue mechanics are predominantly transactional fresh produce sales supplemented by value-added products, with a deliberate tilt toward higher-margin export categories (avocados, cherries, blueberries) to offset thin domestic fruit and vegetable margins. The employer-of-record workforce is approximately 10,000 multi-cultural employees including agronomists, engineers and artisans under a flat, horizontal management structure; leadership is the Van Zyl family (CEO Tommie van Zyl, chairman Johan Koorts).

Name

ZZ2

Legal name

BERTIE VAN ZYL (EDMS) BPK

Website

https://zz2.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

ZZ2 is a South African family-owned farming conglomerate producing 209,000 tons of fresh produce annually — including tomatoes, avocados, cherries, apples, and almonds — supplying domestic retailers and exporting through programmes with Tesco, Mission Produce, and Core Fruit to Europe and China.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Produce and Agricultural Products

NAICS

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (42448), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (424480), Fruit and Vegetable Retailers (44523)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Fresh Produce Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fresh Produce Distribution (CRAOABAB), Import / Export Produce Wholesale (Cross-Border Trading) (AFAIACAH), Nuts, Seeds & Dried Fruit Trading/Wholesale (AFAIAKAF)

Keywords

• Fresh produce farming
• Tomato production
• Avocado cultivation
• Agricultural exports
• Nature farming

Headquarters

HQ city

Pretoria

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Fresh Produce Sales: ZZ2 grows and sells fresh produce including tomatoes, avocados, cherries, blueberries, almonds, onions, apples, pears, dates, and cattle. They pack and market approximately 209,000 tons of fresh produce annually. Products are sold domestically through fresh produce markets and supermarkets, with significant export to Europe.
2. Value-Added Products: ZZ2 produces processed products including tomato juice (Romanita, 100% Romanita Tomato Juice) and carrot juice (Rugani 100% vegetable juices). Al Monde almonds are sold in various pack sizes.
3. Export Markets: 85% of avocado crop exported, mostly to Europe. Deciduous fruit also mostly exported. Cherry exports primarily to UK through Tesco programmes.
4. Subsidiary Operations: ZZ2 holds stakes in subsidiaries including Cape Almonds, Vitroplant South Africa, and various partnerships including date farming in Namibia.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ZZ2 is a South African farming conglomerate that grows, packs, and markets fresh produce including tomatoes, avocados, cherries, apples, pears, stone fruit, almonds, dates, blueberries, and onions, along with value-added products such as tomato juice. The company operates across Limpopo, Western Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Northwest, and Namibia, packing approximately 209,000 tons of fresh produce annually through its own cooled packhouses and transport fleet.

Product overview

ZZ2 is a diversified South African agricultural conglomerate operating across the full fresh produce value chain. The company offers a broad portfolio of fresh produce including tomatoes (its flagship product at 166,000+ tons annually), avocados, cherries, apples, pears, stone fruit, almonds, dates, blueberries, onions, and tomato juice products. These products are marketed under brands including Ke Tzwa Tzweo (tomatoes), Afrikado (avocados), and Al Monde (almonds via subsidiary Cape Almonds). The company operates through subsidiaries like Vitroplant South Africa (plant biotechnology), joint ventures such as Selokwe Agri (avocado production with Mission Produce), and manages operations nationwide and in Namibia. ZZ2's integrated operations span production, eight cooled packhouses, marketing, and distribution to domestic and export markets. The company differentiates through its Natuurboerdery® philosophy of nature-friendly farming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Al Monde: Almond brand launched by Cape Almonds subsidiary, marketed as fresher, crunchier, tastier, and more affordable than imported almonds. Available in 250g, 500g, and 1kg packs plus recycled plastic bags of 100g and 250g.
• Ke Tzwa Tzweo
• Natuurboerdery
• Afrikado

Products and services

• Tomatoes ZZ2's flagship product line: classic round and specialty mini-tomatoes grown in Limpopo, marketed under the Ke Tzwa Tzweo brand. Sold through South African fresh produce markets, supermarkets, and exports.
• Avocados (Afrikado) Premium Hass and green-skin avocado varieties grown in Limpopo, marketed under the Afrikado brand, supplied to European retailers and increasingly to Asian markets.
• Cherries Low-chill Zaiger Genetics cherry varieties grown on multiple farms across four South African provinces; vast majority exported to UK with approximately 20% supplied to Woolworths and Shoprite Checkers domestically.
• Apples, Pears & Stone Fruit Apples (including Fuji Kiku), pears and stone fruit grown in Ceres, Western Cape using ultra-high density M9 rootstock planting techniques; packed at Bella Frutta packhouse; mostly exported.
• Almonds (Al Monde) Home-grown raw, unprocessed almonds marketed under the Al Monde brand by ZZ2's Cape Almonds subsidiary with licensed agreements with more than 50 farmers, positioned as fresher and more affordable than imported alternatives.
• Dates Dates cultivated in southern Namibia through partnership with ZZ2 ownership; part of the company's diversification into high-value fruit categories.
• Blueberries High-value blueberry production forming part of ZZ2's export-focused superfoods portfolio, with propagation supported by Vitroplant South Africa tissue culture operations.
• Onions Commercial onion production of approximately 13,000 tons annually, grown across ZZ2's Limpopo and Ceres operations and sold through domestic and export markets.
• Tomato Juice (Romanita) 100% Romanita branded tomato juice, awarded the CANSA Seal of Recognition for high lycopene content, aseptically packaged for extended shelf life and marketed under the Rugani vegetable juice range.
• Cattle (Livestock) Beef cattle operations including Pinzgauer stud cattle and weaners, managed under sustainable grazing practices within the Natuurboerdery philosophy for soil improvement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 115t/ha apple yield vs 80-90t/ha industry average
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Core FruitcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 August 2023Core Fruit manages logistics and transportation to the European market for ZZ2 avocados. Has experience in exporting apples, pears and citrus to China since market opened. Well-established relationships with Chinese counterparts.
• Mr AvocadocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 August 2023Mission Produce's partner in China with ripening and distribution facilities. Only shippers and receivers in China with one brand from multiple growing countries, partnership since 2017.
• Mission ProducecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 February 2023Joint venture with ZZ2 Boerdery and Criterion Africa Partners forming Selokwe Agri. Plans to develop over 1,000 hectares of avocados for global distribution in Limpopo. Mission Produce provides global distribution network, particularly through Mr Avocado in China. ZZ2 provides avocado cultivation expertise and Natuurboerdery compliance with ESG standards including Global G.A.P. and SIZA certifications.
• Cape AlmondscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2022ZZ2 subsidiary that launched Al Monde brand of home-grown South African almonds. Formed licensed agreements with more than 50 farmers to grow and produce almonds. 50 tonnes already on sale. Dan Coetzee is CEO and head of newly formed South African Almond Association.
• Vitroplant South AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2019Plant tissue culture company formerly Ruvalabs, now with new strategic equity restructure. ZZ2 is a shareholder along with Vitroplant Italia and Hishtil SA. Produces quality hardened tissue culture fruit rootstock, blueberry plants, tree nuts, grapes, potatoes, pomegranates, ornamental and medicinal plants. DAFF approved Post Entry Quarantine Facility.
• Vitroplant ItaliacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 September 2019One of Europe's leading producers for tissue culture plants and finished trees throughout Europe, Middle East, North Africa, and Americas. Celebrating 40 years. Provides quality in vitro plant material and 40 years of experience to South African operation.
• Hishtil SAcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 September 2019International vegetable and ornamental nursery group with world-wide footprint and reputation for quality seedling nursery production. Brings international nursery experience and know-how to Vitroplant SA.
• FoodForward SAminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Hunger relief organisation partnership during Food Lover's Market Hunger Month campaign. ZZ2 tomatoes contribute to providing meals to food-insecure South Africans.
• DutoitsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Partnership to set up Lumbri Compost facility in Ceres in 2006 for biological compost production supporting Natuurboerdery practices.
• ExxarominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMining company for whom ZZ2 manages a fourth cherry farm in Mpumalanga.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Greenyard: Greenyard is a Belgian-headquartered global fresh, frozen and prepared fruit and vegetable supplier serving European retailers. Comparable to ZZ2 on integrated fresh-produce supply into European retail channels, though broader in product and geography.
• Dole plc: Dole plc is a global fresh produce incumbent operating in bananas, pineapples, deciduous fruit and berries with grower and packhouse assets. Broad incumbent benchmark for fresh-produce distribution scale, though diversified well beyond ZZ2's product set.
• Fresh Del Monte Produce: Fresh Del Monte Produce is a global producer, packer and distributor of fresh and prepared produce including tomatoes (Del Monte-branded), pineapples, melons, and avocado. Comparable to ZZ2's vertically integrated growing-plus-distribution model.
• Driscoll's: Driscoll's is the global leader in berry production and marketing (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries). Comparable to ZZ2 on its emerging blueberry line and ZZ2's stake in Vitroplant South Africa tissue culture plant supply.

Direct peers

• Capespan: Capespan is a major South African-headquartered fresh produce grower-exporter handling citrus, grapes, pome fruit and stone fruit into global markets. Operates a comparable grower-to-retailer model with similar customer roster (UK and EU retailers).
• Mission Produce: Mission Produce is the world's largest avocado distributor with sourcing across multiple origins (now including ZZ2's via the Selokwe Agri JV) and ripening facilities including Mr Avocado in China. It is a direct peer on global avocado distribution and a real counterparty, not just a comparable.
• Core Fruit: Core Fruit is a South African fresh produce exporter specializing in apples, pears, citrus, avocados and stone fruit into European and Asian markets. ZZ2's logistics and export partner; comparable on international fresh-produce distribution from South Africa.
• Westfalia Fruit: Westfalia Fruit is a vertically integrated South African-founded avocado and subtropical fruit producer-exporter with global packhouse and ripening infrastructure. It is the most direct comparable to ZZ2 in avocados, sub-tropicals, and export-led fresh-produce distribution.
• Subsole Fruits: Subsole is a South African fresh produce producer-exporter handling citrus, table grapes, pome fruit and stone fruit for global retailers. Comparable to ZZ2 on multi-product, export-led South African fresh-produce operations.

Regional players

• Dutoits: Dutoits is a South African fruit and vegetable producer with pome fruit, stone fruit, onions and vegetable operations in the Western Cape. ZZ2's JV partner in Lumbri Compost (Ceres, 2006), directly comparable on apples, pears, onions and integrated farming in the same Ceres region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ZZ2Farming
• Xx.com/ZZ2Farming
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zz2

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ZZ2