The largest Dutch fruit cooperative aims to expand its availability of top-quality, sweet blackberries this year
At Fruit Logistica 2025 in Berlin, the Netherlands’ largest fruit cooperative FruitMasters officially introduced a new sweet blackberry called Bestum. Described as especially flavoursome, it is the latest addition to the company’s Best of Berries programme, an exclusive selection of soft fruit varieties that meet the highest standards in production, taste, quality and sustainability.
According to the group, Bestum is an innovative variety developed with a strong focus on excellent taste and strong performance throughout the production chain, and one that stands out for its uniformly sweet flavour, better texture and reliable yield.
In addition, it apparently offers consistently high Brix levels, as well as a flavour experience that will delight growers, retailers and consumers alike. And as FruitMasters marketing manager Coen Kampschoër explains, the new variety also ensures consistent firmness and dependable production, making it a reliable choice for both domestic and international markets.
“Bestum is a valuable addition to the blackberry category,” he comments. “Its refined flavour, excellent quality, firmness and high productivity make the variety particularly well-suited to a category in which yield and taste are closely linked. Our Best of Berries programme aims to introduce the best varieties and add value across the entire supply chain.”
Benefits for all
Improvements in production and quality make Bestum an attractive choice for growers, according to FruitMasters, with yields comparable to common varieties like Loch Ness. The first commercial harvests are due later this year, at which point the variety is expected to offer retailers a steady supply of consistently sweet blackberries, while consumers enjoy a superior taste experience.
The launch of Bestum is said to be part of FruitMasters’ overall vision to develop sustainable varieties that benefit growers, supply chain partners, and consumers. The variety will be available in the Netherlands exclusively under the Best of Berries programme, which also includes the seed-bred Sonrosa strawberry, and the sweeter Skoander redcurrant. “The programme’s strategic collaborations and groundbreaking varieties are driving continuous innovation in the soft fruit sector,” Kampschoër adds.
