Flamansun tomato turns heads

Congratulations on winning the Fresh Market award. What does it mean to you?

Michał Taraska: Winning the Fresh Market award for the fourth time is an incredible achievement for our team. It not only highlights the consistency of our efforts but also shows that we continue to innovate and deliver high-quality products.

This year’s award is particularly special because it proves that we are not resting on our laurels but are committed to pushing boundaries across all companies belonging to the Limagrain Group – Hazera, HM.Clause and Vilmorin Mikado. We hope this award will increase awareness of all our varieties, not only Flamansun, helping us expand into new markets.

Can you tell us about the Flamansun tomato variety and its characteristics?

MT: Flamansun’s most distinctive feature is its oxheart shape, which immediately sets it apart from your ordinary tomato. The shape varies slightly from one fruit to another, allowing consumers to choose what they like best. Another standout characteristic is its unique ‘flame’ colour – a beautiful gradient of yellow transitioning into red. This striking appearance not only helps Flamansun stand out on the shelf but also gives consumers an opportunity to have fun selecting their preferred balance of more yellow or red fruits.

Additionally, Flamansun has more flesh than many other varieties, making it perfect for culinary and fresh uses. It has a thin skin and juicy flesh that melts in your mouth.

How was Flamansun developed?

MT: Flamansun is the result of years of hard work, led by our talented breeder, Katarzyna Grabka from HM Clause, who deserves full credit for this remarkable variety. The development process was meticulous and took five years involving careful crossbreeding of different tomato genetic varieties to achieve the ideal combination of features. The project took countless trials and refinements along the way, and no doubt, the award proves that it was worth it.

Is the variety commercially available?

MT: Yes, Flamansun is commercially available and has already been a success in France and Italy. This year marks its first year of commercial availability in Poland, and we’re seeing growing interest from other regions, particularly in Northern Europe, the Baltics, Central and Eastern Europe. The positive reception in these markets reflects Flamansun’s appeal and the increased demand for high-quality glasshouse-grown tomatoes.

Do you have any other new varieties that are specifically designed for glasshouses?

MT: The challenge isn’t just in developing new varieties but also in providing comprehensive support to growers. Glasshouse production requires sticking to strict guidelines, and we ensure that our growers are properly trained to meet these standards. Our focus is not only on delivering innovative varieties but also on offering the necessary services and expertise to help growers succeed.