Planasa is opening a research and development center in Mexico. The facility will work on the development of new soft fruit varieties in Latin America and the U.S.
Planasa has opened a new research and development center in the Mexican state of Michoacán to develop new berry varieties suitable for growing conditions in Latin America and the United States.
The 17-hectare facility, which will house a team of 80 employees, is the company's fourth. The others are located in Spain, France, and the United States. Planasa also operates three nurseries in Mexico that supply plant material to local growers.
The material will be used to obtain new strawberry varieties and blackberries and test their suitability for local climatic and environmental conditions, as well as to develop optimal management specifications for Planasa's entire range of berries and provide technical assistance to growers to help them improve their yields.
Planasa said teams from its four research and development centers will work on genetic improvement focused on the specific needs and conditions of their respective markets, while also taking advantage of the synergies generated between them, as well as sharing knowledge and the germplasm bank.
The company's pre-breeding team will provide technical support to try to shorten the time to obtain the different varieties.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new facility, Planasa CEO Michael Brinkmann said the company "wants to continue investing to increase its varietal development capacity and consolidate its leadership position in the market, while maintaining its commitment to efficiency and sustainability."
With its position as a world leader in the production and export of soft fruits, Mexico is at the center of strategic growth for Planasa. The company has been present in the country since 2010, and 20 percent of its investment in research and development is concentrated there.
Source:Fruitnet
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