South African Breweries Ventures into Lime Farming to Bolster Corona Beer Production

Anheuser-Busch InBev’s South African Breweries (SAB) has invested 19 million rand ($999,000) in a lime farming project in the northern Limpopo province of South Africa to address a domestic shortage of limes. The move was prompted by the popularity of Corona beer, which is traditionally served with a slice of lime. The shortage was impacting the drinking ritual as less than 10% of citrus farm land in South Africa was dedicated to lime.

SAB collaborated with the Moletele community and the Komati Fruit Group in 2020 to establish and manage the lime farming project, serving the production of Carling Black Label beer. The 60-hectare farm, located in the Limpopo province, has become the largest lime farm in South Africa.

The investment is a strategic response to reduce reliance on imported limes, which can be unpredictable in terms of availability and contribute to increased costs. SAB Corporate Affairs Vice President Zoleka Lisa highlighted the challenge of the lime shortage and the necessity to address it to maintain the drinking experience associated with Corona beer.

The lime harvest for the 2023 financial year is expected to reach around 700 metric tons, surpassing the initial target of 300 tons. This investment not only helps alleviate the lime shortage in South Africa but also contributes to the local agricultural economy. The success of this project underscores the importance of proactive measures to secure essential ingredients and ensure a seamless supply chain for the beverage industry.