Production of new Abril Blue+ variety moves into Ica
Peru’s Inka’s Berries has announced that it is to plant 300ha of Abril Blue+ blueberries in the Ica region, south of Lima.
Abril Blue+ is one of two new premium varieties launched last year (along with Alessia Blue+) that were developed with genetics generated in Peru and with the support of Inka’s breeding partner, the University of Georgia.
Both varieties have a post-harvest shelf-life of more than 70 days, large calibre (more than 70 per cent are bigger than 18mm), sweet flavour and a productivity of more than 4kg per plant.
Speakingi to Agraria, CEO Arturo Merino said: “This expansion that we have started in Ica marks a milestone in the history of Inka’s Berries. There is no doubt that the potential and development of our new Salvador farm will give us the opportunity to continue growing as a company and will allow us to strengthen our international commercial window with premium varieties to satisfy the growing global demand for top-level blueberries”.
Inka’s Berries has an extensive pipeline of new, no-chill blueberry selections adapted to diverse growing conditions that are already making inroads in South America, Europe and Africa. Such has been its success that last October its breeding portfolio was acquired by Bloom Fresh.
