International seed retailer Tozer Seeds showcased some of its latest developments at its annual seed trials this September.
Chards and specialty kales with new colours and sweeter flavours were among the high talking points as some varieties will be ready for introduction by 2015.
Tozer Seeds marketing manager Robin Bartels said a new pink and white chard really stood out. “Kales were also being talked about as there are some interesting developments there.”
Kraig Kuykendall, NAFTA sales manager, said there was particular interest in the new range of kales. “I have no doubt this was fueled by the white hot sales of kale in North America,” he said.
Runner beans, including one new variety called Tenderstar, were part of a larger trial than usual and Bartels said that they would like to see more beans hitting retail shelves. “It is more of a convenience product. These beans are stringless and can actually fit in the pan. We call them runner beans reinvented.”
Calypso Cilantro, known for rapid emergence with little to no bolting, was also under development as Bartels said there are still improvements to be made.
The company exhibited products which are already commercially available including British Basil, Dragon’s Tongue Arugula with red veins and green leaf, and the spicy Wildfire Arugula.
All the major British retailers were present at the event held at Millwater Nursery in Cobham, as well as 200 distributors and growers from as far as Canada and the US.
Attendees were taken on crop tours with breeders and saw cooking demonstrations using produce from the fields.
The next opportunity to visit Tozer Seeds' fields will be in September 2014 and will again take place in Cobham.
No comments yet