More than 80 guests attend Yunnan event to learn about breeder’s table grape portfolio
Bloom Fresh has held its first-ever table grape open day in China. More than 80 people attended the event in early June in Yunnan province to showcase the company’s varieties.
The programme included tours of the vineyards followed by lectures and tastings of Bloom’s varieties, including Sweet Bond, Candy Dreams, Sweet Nectar, Candy Snaps, and Sweet Magic.
“It was an exciting moment to witness the imported varieties that are grown well or even better in the soil of our motherland. Very encouraging!,” said Mandy Chan, co-owner of P&C International Trading.
China is the world’s biggest grape producer with an annual output of around 12.6m tonnes, of which 84 per cent are table grapes, according to the USDA. The country also represents a major market for Bloom thanks to its vast land mass, temperate climate in many regions, and soil quality.
Michell Yip from Rui Ocean said: “We saw great opportunities of the varieties. We trust we’re opening a new track for the industry”.
David Smith, Bloom’s general manager, table grapes and cherries, China, commented: “Our first Open Day in China was a groundbreaking success, marking a significant milestone as the first of its kind in China. We witnessed the enthusiastic interest and positive feedback from growers, especially considering the challenging conditions of growing grapes in Southern Yunnan province.
“This event not only showcased our leadership in the industry but also paved the way for potential collaborations, with many first-time conversations between growers and main licensees. We are proud of our team in China for their outstanding organisation and execution to make this a success”.
