“The entire stone fruit industry in Israel is in crisis,” said Edo Ben Dor of Ben Dor Fruits. “So our strategy is shifting production outside of Israel into Spain, France, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe and South Africa.” High input and labor costs have reduced margins on traditional stone fruit varieties, so the only ways to continue with stone fruit programs are to shift production outside of Israel or go with new varieties that Ben Dor develpos.
“Most regular varieties don't have a chance,” noted Ben Dor. “Right now, the trend in Europe is better varieties with more flavor, higher brix and better quality, especially with red flesh plums, apricots and recently developed RF nectarines.” That's where Ben Dor has concentrated efforts with his stone fruit breeding program, and the result is access to high-end retailers and the top end of the stone fruit market.
“We get higher prices for our fruit,” said Ben Dor, “and that's the only way we can compete. Our costs are 2-3 times higher than EU and other countries, without any support of the Israeli ministry of agriculture, so we must have top-tier product.”
Please visit www.bendorfruits.com for more information.