Hargreaves Plants has signed two valuable contracts with plant breeders in the US to bring exciting new varieties of soft fruit to the UK market.
After almost two years of negotiation, Hargreaves concluded an agreement with North Carolina State University. Paul Taylor, ceo of Hargreaves Plants said: “North Carolina is one of the leading berry fruit breeding centres in the US. Director Jim Ballington and his new assistant Gina Fernandez have exciting programmes in strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. We are very optimistic of finding good material for the UK and EU.”
The second deal is with the University of Arkansas to work on its blackberry material. “We have a very large territory and the novel range of primocane material is certain to be suitable for the UK and all over Europe,” said commercial director Rupert Hargreaves.
Hargreaves feels that the introduction of primocane blackberries will expand EU production by several months and further accelerate consumption.
“This exclusive contract adds a whole new dimension to our business,” said Hargreaves. “We are importing thousands of populations in seeds and will be undertaking the selection of new varieties in the UK and other relevant countries.”
Hargreaves now expects to trial more than 60 new cultivars this spring.
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