West Sussex-based soft-fruit producer The Summer Berry Company (TSBC) has signed a deal with Italian breeder Berrytech to exclusively grow and distribute the raspberry variety Amalia Rossa.
The agreement relates to the UK, Republic of Ireland and Portugal, where TSBC also has production facilities. According to the report, the deal will also see TSBC establish a minimum of 75% of new planting area for the variety in Portugal and may also sub-licence production with third-party producers within the country.
According to TSBC, the variety, originally known as ‘BP190’, is recognised as being prolific, with great flavour and a very good shelf-life. Its quality and colour, along with its uniform size throughout the season, are exceptional traits that set it apart from other varieties. The Atlantic coastal climate in the southwest of Portugal, where TSBC produces around 150ha of raspberries, is optimal for producing such a high-quality variety. “Amalia Rossa was one of the many varieties we tested, and it stood out for its many qualities, so we decided to fast-track its development,” said João Alves, head of growing, at TSBC Portugal.
Diego Ioriatti, R&D director and breeding chief at Berrytech, commented, “Amalia Rossa proved to be a game-changing variety from the very start. Its combination of high productivity, strong plant vigour, resistance to major raspberry diseases, and consistent fruit size, along with quality throughout the picking season, is truly exciting. These positive features have yet to be surpassed by any of the newer selections from Berrytech’s breeding programme”.
The two companies added that they are already collaborating on the development of further new varieties.
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