With sustained support from the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM), Eswatini’s strawberry industry is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving from small-scale traditional farming into a more structured, market-oriented and value-driven sector.
Through the Emerging Fruit Tree Production, Marketing and Capacity Building Project, the Hawane Multi-purpose Co-operative, guided by Project Specialist Alex Lin, has successfully built a stable strawberry production and supply system that meets both local and international market standards.
Historically, strawberry production among Hawane farmers was largely based on open-field cultivation, relying heavily on traditional knowledge and experience. Farmers often faced multiple challenges, including unpredictable weather conditions, pest and disease pressures and limited access to reliable markets. As a result, yields were inconsistent, fruit quality varied significantly and income stability remained a concern for many smallholders.
Under the guidance of the TTM, farmers began adopting improved cultivation practices and modern management techniques. These included the use of structured seedling replacement systems to maintain plant vigour, improved soil fertility management, precise fertilisation strategies and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches to reduce crop losses. In addition, post-harvest handling practices such as fruit grading, sorting and standardised packaging were introduced to enhance product quality and consistency.
One of the most notable achievements is the successful partnership established between the Hawane Co-operative and Black Mamba, one of Eswatini’s leading premium food brands. Known for its commitment to natural, high-quality and additive-free products, Black Mamba sources locally grown ingredients to produce a variety of jams and chilli-based condiments. Through this collaboration, strawberries produced by Hawane farmers are now supplied as a key raw material for the company’s innovative strawberry chilli sauce products.
This partnership has created a win-win situation. Farmers benefit from a stable and reliable market, while Black Mamba secures a consistent supply of high-quality raw materials. At the same time, the collaboration encourages continuous improvement in farming practices, as farmers strive to meet the strict quality standards required by the processing industry.
Building upon this success, the value-added strawberry products were successfully introduced into Taiwan’s Leezen retail market in March this year. Leezen is a well-known retail chain in Taiwan that promotes natural, eco-friendly and additive-free products, aligning closely with Black Mamba’s brand philosophy. The introduction of Eswatini-produced strawberry chilli sauce into this market represents a significant breakthrough in international market access.
The products quickly gained popularity among Taiwanese consumers, thanks to their unique combination of sweet and spicy flavors, natural ingredients and compelling origin story. Within a short period, the products achieved strong sales performance, demonstrating not only consumer acceptance, but also the potential of Eswatini’s agricultural products in competitive international markets.
To ensure smooth market entry, product packaging was carefully adapted to meet Taiwan’s regulatory requirements and consumer preferences. This included the addition of professionally designed Chinese labelling, which enhanced product visibility and accessibility for local consumers.
According to Specialist Lin, this milestone represents more than just a successful export case.
“This is not only about selling a product overseas; it is about building a sustainable agricultural system where farmers can consistently produce high-quality crops and connect with reliable markets,” he explained. He emphasised that strengthening both technical capacity and market orientation is essential for long-term agricultural development.
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