The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) has announced the signing of agreements with a number of international fruit companies to register abroad eight new fruit varieties developed by the organisation.
In the past, Embrapa has personally validated its technologies and varieties before marketing them overseas, but the new strategy is hoped to speed up the process and help to save resources which can be re-invested into further research and development.
The new varieties have improved productivity, resistance to disease and drought and have been bred to suit specific climates, according to Embrapa.
South African fruit distributor Colors Fruit was reportedly the first to sign an agreement for a new seedless table grape variety, which is also being eyed by companies in Chile, Peru, Spain and Barbados.
Colors Fruit, as well as a Spanish group, is also keen to register a new peach variety, bred by Embrapa for production in temperate climes.
An unnamed UK-based company, meanwhile, has expressed an interest in validating Embrapa’s new blackberry variety.
