Total Berry has formed a new joint venture initiative after inking a deal with US company Plant Sciences Inc.
The initiative project is seen as a natural evolution within the Redeva varietal development programme and the Total Produce UK subsidiary hopes the partnership will provide a combined force capable of generating significant advantage to Total Berry customers and growers.
Beginning in the spring 2011, Total Berry will launch a range of innovative strawberry, raspberry and blackberry varieties throughout the UK market available as a result of the exclusive licensing agreement. Prospective varieties are currently being screened in collaboration with Total Berry growers.
The ultimate goal of the program is “to discover and refine varieties of berries, which combine traditional flavour and excellent aroma, with advantageous yields and increased natural resistance to pests and diseases, making them sustainable for the grower and highly desirable to the consumer”, according to Total Berry.
Plant Sciences has been active for more than 25 years in the research and development of berry varieties, with a focus on strawberry, raspberry and blackberry varieties.
Steve Nelson, director at Plant Sciences, said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with the very motivated and qualified professionals of Total Berry. We look forward to serving them by providing them with berry varieties that are well adapted to their market needs, the needs of their growers, and ultimately the consumers they serve.”
Denis Punter, executive chairman of Total Produce UK, said, “Total Produce was delighted to have entered into this exciting new relationship with Plant Sciences, Inc. who are a renowned world leader in berry varietal development. This relationship will complement and accelerate the development of our existing Redeva Programme to the benefit of our customers within the UK.”
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