Steve Nelson, director at the newly restructured Plant Sciences Genetics (PSG), discusses the current state of the berry market, new varieties, and future opportunities in an interview with Fruitnet.
Recent Changes
PSG has consolidated its breeding and propagation interests, presenting them under a unified brand. This restructuring aims to streamline operations and better represent their market interests.
Market Strength
The berry market is robust, but success has brought vulnerabilities. Improved varieties and overlapping production regions have led to situations where supply exceeds demand. This is expected to drive further industry consolidation in North America.
Key Products
PSG oversees 17 berry breeding programs, including ten for strawberries, three for blueberries, two for raspberries, one for blackberries, and one for black raspberries. They actively introduce new varieties while supporting existing ones. Notable strawberry varieties in Europe include Victory, Inspire, and Arabella, with raspberry varieties Majestic and Nobility.
Promising New Varieties
PSG is launching several new varieties of strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, with blueberries and black raspberries to follow. BK-613, a new blackberry variety, is particularly noteworthy and is expected to cover over 1,000 acres (400 hectares) in North America by March 2025. It boasts strong yields, low drupelet reversion, excellent post-harvest performance, and good flavor.
Opportunities
Better alignment and information among growers, buyers, and consumers present significant opportunities. PSG aims to play a crucial role in consolidating traits that satisfy all stakeholders simultaneously, envisioning a future where benefits are consistent and complementary across the supply chain.
Challenges
Berry growers worldwide face rapidly increasing costs, with traditional strategies of increased yield and scale failing to keep up. PSG anticipates further industry consolidation and acreage correction, particularly in North America. They currently manage over 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) of strawberry production across California, Baja, Florida, and Central Mexico. The market dynamics favor larger operations, leaving mid-sized growers struggling to stay competitive.
Read the full interview: Fruitnet
Photo: Van Den Elzen
