Sun World International has settled its long running dispute with growers in Israel.

The Plant Board of Israel has reached a definitive agreement over the licensed production and marketing of Suplumeleven and Suplumtwelve plums, marketed under the Black Diamond brand in Israel.

The agreement settles a longstanding dispute between California-based Sun World and the Israeli fruit industry over unauthorised plantings of various proprietary plum varieties bred and owned by Sun World.

The deal entitles several hundred newly-licensed producers and marketers to distribute plums protected under Israeli plant breeders rights law, and to use Sun World’s Black Diamond trademark.

“We are pleased to include this considerable Israeli plum production in Sun World’s licensing portfolio,” Sun World senior vice president David Marguleas said.

“This newly-legitimised production paves the way for Sun World to introduce dozens of new proprietary fruit cultivars to Israeli producers and marketers. The settlement also bolsters our confidence in Israel’s plant breeders rights legislation and underscores its producers’ respect for Sun World’s intellectual property rights,” he said.

In addition to the Israeli production, the branded plums are produced under license in the US, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and South Africa.

Terms of the industry-wide Israeli settlement agreement were not disclosed, but the agreement addresses approximately 12,000 tonnes of Sun World plums produced on about 200 hectares throughout Israel.

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