Costa Group Holdings Limited (Costa Pty Ltd) is Australia’s leading grower, packer, and marketer of fresh fruit and vegetables, with a vertically integrated agribusiness model that spans farming, logistics, marketing, and international licensing. With headquarters in Victoria and operations across Australia, China, Morocco, and the Americas, Costa serves as a cornerstone of the global horticultural industry.
Brief History
Founded in the late 19th century as a small fruit and vegetable retailer, Costa Group evolved into a diversified agribusiness by the early 2000s. It listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 2015 under the ticker CGC and was acquired in 2023 by Paine Schwartz Partners, a US-based agribusiness investment firm, in a deal valued at AUD $1.5 billion.
Core Business
Costa operates an integrated supply chain that includes the growing, harvesting, packing, and marketing of high-quality produce. The company’s portfolio focuses on seven core categories:
- Berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries)
- Citrus fruits (navels, mandarins, lemons)
- Tomatoes (truss, cocktail, specialty)
- Avocados
- Mushrooms
- Grapes
- Bananas
Product and Service Offerings
Australian Operations
- Over 7,200 hectares of farmland under management
- National supply coverage across all six states
- 100% of produce handled through certified quality assurance and food safety systems
International Operations
- Morocco: 450+ hectares of blueberry farms via African Blue JV
- China: Joint ventures and own farms across Yunnan Province for blueberry cultivation
- Americas: Licensing agreements for Costa berry genetics in Mexico, Chile, and the US
Additional Services
- IP Licensing of Costa proprietary berry genetics globally
- On-farm R&D through its dedicated innovation teams
- Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) facilities for year-round tomato and mushroom production
Specialization and Core USP
Costa’s competitive strengths include:
- World-class berry genetics developed through its Costa Variety Improvement Program
- Protected cropping systems for high yield and consistent quality
- End-to-end cold chain logistics ensuring freshness from farm to shelf
- Sustainable water management practices, including recycled irrigation and water use efficiency
Costa is also a leader in biological farming, integrated pest management (IPM), and reduced chemical use.
Financial Overview
As of its last reporting before privatization:
- Annual Revenue (FY2022): AUD $1.3 billion
- EBITDA (FY2022): AUD $230 million
- Employees: ~6,000 full-time and seasonal workers globally
Post-privatization, Costa remains a top-tier agribusiness in terms of operational scale and market penetration.
Shipments and Export Records
- Export Share: Over 30% of revenue from international markets
- Key Export Destinations: China, Japan, South Korea, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong
- Blueberry exports from Morocco and China exceed 15,000 MT annually
- Fresh citrus exports supported by full traceability and certification (HACCP, GLOBALG.A.P.)
Costa operates international distribution hubs and uses sea and air freight channels for time-sensitive categories like berries and tomatoes.
Target Market
Costa caters to:
- Large supermarket chains (Woolworths, Coles, Aldi)
- Wholesale distributors and foodservice operators
- Global retailers through export programs
- Licensing partners for genetics in North America, Asia, and Europe
Capabilities
- Controlled-environment facilities across five growing regions in Australia
- R&D investments exceeding AUD $10 million annually
- Digital integration in farm management, crop forecasting, and yield analytics
- Supply continuity through geographic and varietal diversification
Certifications and Compliance
- GLOBALG.A.P.
- HACCP
- Freshcare
- Sedex Member Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA)
- Organic certification for select products
- Carbon footprint tracking and climate resilience programs under ESG goals
Customer Testimonials
"Costa has consistently delivered exceptional produce with unmatched freshness and reliability. Their innovation in farming practices is industry-leading."
— Procurement Manager, National Supermarket Chain (Australia)
"Their Moroccan blueberries have become a staple in our premium category across East Asia. The quality speaks for itself."
— Director, Asian Produce Importer
Major Achievements
- Recognized as Australia’s #1 grower and exporter of fresh berries
- Developed the world's most widely licensed blueberry varieties
- Pioneered closed-loop mushroom composting systems with zero waste
- Received Sustainability Leadership Award by the Australian Financial Review (2022)
- Successfully expanded African Blue operations in Morocco to service the European market
Costa Group Holdings Limited continues to redefine modern horticulture by combining innovation, sustainability, and global scalability—ensuring year-round delivery of premium fresh produce to millions of consumers worldwide.
