T&G Global has launched VentureFruit, a global genetics and variety management company. The new venture will bring "new and superior" fruit to consumers, retailers and growers around the world, according to T&G Global.
To coincide with its launch, VentureFruit has signed two key partnerships . It is co-investing in the development of a range of new and unique berry varieties with Plant & Food Research. It is also working with Plant IP Partners to test and evaluate new varieties of New Zealand apples. In addition to its two new partnerships, VentureFruit has a wide range of apple, pear and berry varieties. It will provide its variety management services to T&G Global.
KEEPING UP WITH THE BERRY BOOM
The partnership with Plant & Food Research is focused on developing and selecting a range of unique new berries, including raspberries, boysenberries, blackberries and hybrid berries. This has been called the Rubus program.
VentureFruit will be the strategic partner for the global marketing of this new range. Peter Landon-Lane, managing director of VentureFruit, said the berries have been selected to meet consumer needs and growing global consumption. "In the last ten years, global berry consumption has more than doubled and per capita consumption is expected to increase further, with strong demand coming from Europe and North America," Landon-Lane explained.
"VentureFruit will help meet this growth by bringing to market high-performance cultivars with unique traits that will not only provide a better and more consistent product, but will extend the growing season and allow the berries to be grown in different locations and soil types."
Landon-Lane said the berries in the Rubus programme have been strategically grown with robust flavours and distinctive colours - from yellow and orange to dark red . "They will also be firm and capable of producing high yields of quality fruit, which can be adapted to a range of environments and harvest windows," Landon-Lane added.
VentureFruit hopes to begin marketing the new berry varieties "in the next few years". Commercialisation will begin in New Zealand before moving internationally as the plant material progresses through import quarantine, testing and evaluation in other countries.
SHAPING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Gareth Edgecombe, managing director of T&G Global, said unique plant genetics are key to shaping the future of a sustainable, global fresh produce sector. "With consumer needs constantly evolving, it is vital that our industry offers taste, nutrition, convenience and sustainability," Edgecombe explained.
"We need to provide consumers and customers with healthy, great-tasting fruit, while at the same time ensuring that what we grow and how we do it has a light footprint. Plant genetics play a key role in achieving this goal."
"Through unique varieties, our industry can grow high value fresh produce. With this, greater value will be generated for consumers, retailers, growers and communities, and we can help nurture our natural environment through adaptation and innovation."
Source: Fruitnet - Photo: Andres Hernandez on Unsplash
