Argentina is seeking to strengthen its role in the global blueberry market with new varieties developed to meet the sector’s most current demands: high-quality fruit, long shelf life, early harvesting and greater adaptability to organic production systems.
The breeding programme led by the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Buenos Aires, together with grower-exporter Early Crop, has presented Moya, a new variety that, according to its developers, has the characteristics needed to compete on international markets.
Moya, Naike, Tafí and Slender: four varieties for the global market
Moya stands out in particular for its fruit size, which can reach 18 mm. It joins a varietal range that also includes Naike, appreciated for its flavour and texture, and Tafí and Slender, selected with a specific focus on resistance to pests and diseases.
This aspect is considered central for organic systems, where reducing chemical interventions is a priority from both a production and commercial perspective.
The four varieties are the result of a project launched in 2009. According to the breeders, they share characteristics designed to meet the needs of international demand. “They are extra-early varieties, with a long post-harvest life and suitable for organic farming,” explained Gustavo Schrauf, one of the programme managers.
Earliness as a driver of profitability
One of the project’s main strengths is extra-early production. Bringing fruit to market earlier makes it possible to position the product in commercial windows where prices are higher, thereby improving growers’ profitability.
For Argentine blueberries, this element could become an important competitive factor, especially in a global context where product availability, quality and continuity of supply are increasingly decisive.
A strategic focus on organic production
Analysts highlight the potential of these new varieties to strengthen the international competitiveness of Argentina’s blueberry sector. A significant part of the programme focuses on selecting plants capable of developing without intensive chemical control.
Worldwide, breeding programmes specifically geared towards organic production are still relatively few. For this reason, the Argentine initiative aims to position itself in a strategic niche, considering that around 80% of the blueberries exported by the country are already produced under this type of management.
Interest from the United States, China, Spain and Italy
According to the developers, the new varieties have already attracted interest from countries such as the United States, China, Spain and Italy. In some cases, trials are also said to have begun to assess their adaptation to different climatic and soil conditions.
If the tests confirm expectations, Moya, Naike, Tafí and Slender could provide Argentina with an additional tool to strengthen its position in the early blueberry segment and in organic production, two areas set to play an increasingly important role in varietal and commercial strategies in the coming years.
Text and image source: fruitnet.com
