New Zealand’s leading blackcurrant producer, ViBERi, exclusively supplies Radix with their berries, which add colour, flavour and natural antioxidants to the Radix Mixed Berry Breakfasts and Berry Protein Smoothies.
Based near Pleasant Point in South Canterbury, ViBERi is run by Tony and Afsaneh Howey, who are passionate about growing produce that nourishes people and the land.
After years of farming traditional crops, they turned to blackcurrants, inspired by the region’s unique climate and the remarkable natural benefits of the fruit. South Canterbury’s cold winters, mild summers, fertile soils, and pure Southern Alps water create ideal conditions for growing premium blackcurrants and contribute to the berries’ exceptionally high anthocyanin levels.
Following harvesting, the berries are delivered frozen to Radix Nutrition in Horotiu, Waikato, where they are freeze-dried in their purpose-built, high-hygiene facility. Freeze drying maintains up to 97% of the berries’ original nutrients, protecting their powerful antioxidants like flavonoids and anthocyanins, as well as vitamin C.
A portion of the berries are then milled into powder for easy addition to the Radix Breakfasts and Protein Smoothie formulations.
In the unique partnership between these two ambitious Kiwi brands, Radix retains a quota of the processed berries for its products, while the rest of the now freeze-dried berries return to ViBERi to become their superfood powders, whole dried berries and chocolate-covered blackcurrant products.
This mutually beneficial relationship is highly valued by both New Zealand businesses as they leverage each other's strengths to streamline and scale their operations for greater success.
ViBERi was recently featured on TVNZ’s Country Calendar. To learn more about their business, you can watch the episode titled “Black Beauties” now on TVNZ+: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/player/tvepisode/black-beauties
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