On June 30th 2021, with 60 participants from 4 producing countries (Switzerland, Spain, Italy and especially France), stone fruit producers, nurserymen and technicians were able to come and discover the future varieties of apricots and cherries, as well as some reference varieties of the sector.
For COT International, this Open Day helped create a link with professionals and discuss the behavior of the varieties in 2021, especially after the historic frost episode of April 2021, and to talk about the adaptation of these varieties in face of the climate change that has been clearly visible in recent years.
“We want to promote taste among farmers because it is what consumers demand”
Taste quality is the number 1 criterion in varietal creation for the Gard-based breeder and editor. Marie-Laure Etève, general director in charge of varietal creation, shares that her primary objective is to satisfy the requirements of the entire production chain, from producer to consumers. “We therefore need varieties with a high agronomic potential and very good taste quality.”
They were able to present the entire early and mid-season bicolor apricot range, as well as their red Rougecot apricots, Vanilla COT white-fleshed apricots and their new cherry varieties, including the new flagship variety: Nimba cov.
Vanilla COT: white-fleshed apricots appreciated for their taste quality
With the intention of offering a range of white Vanilla COT apricots to producers, COT International presented new selections, some of which are being planted in demonstration orchards. Professionals are increasingly interested in their taste quality because once consumers try one of these apricots, they never want to eat any other kind,” explains Pascal Bassols, in charge of technical and commercial follow-up at COT. “Until now, it was a niche apricot because there were not enough varieties to interest producers. Now, the dozen of new very promising selections allow us to expand our offer and feed our clients’ interest.”
A field visit was also organized
Producers also need to see the varieties in production directly on the trees to have a clear idea of their behavior. That is why a visit of the orchards was organized during this Open Day, especially to see the Lady COT cov (photo), a reference variety today in all production areas. With the same perspective, during the entire season, COT International carried out field visits with producers, technicians and nurserymen to present to them each of their varieties having reached maturity.
This year, many of the varietal evaluation centers were affected by the frost, so the company made fruit presentations at SEFRA in Etoile-sur-Rhône (26) and SICA Centrex in Torreilles (66), on July 1st and 7th 2021, in order to be always closer to producers in all production basins in France.
For more information:
Pascal Bassols and Marie Laure Etève
COT International
Mas de la Condamine, Chemin de l’abricot
30230 Bouillargues
Phone: +33-6-08-27-38-82
pascal@cot-international.eu
marielaure@cot-international.eu
www.cot-international.eu