In the fruit breeding landscape, few varieties have attracted as much interest as the Kingdom, a product of Caliplant Genetics' pomegranate breeding program and with final registration granted in February 2017. This late variety has positioned itself as a solid and profitable alternative, offering a unique combination of productivity, balanced flavor, and post-harvest shelf life.
© Caliplant Agro
"The Kingdom has once again reached yields well in excess of 40,000 kg per hectare, which is double the average of conventional varieties," says Juan Antonio García, commercial director of Caliplant Genetics. "This productivity makes it one of the most profitable pomegranate varieties in the world."
But it has many more differentiating characteristics. "It is a very attractive variety from an aesthetic point of view, with an intense red color and a very good caliber. It also has a slightly woody seed with a flavor that offers a perfect balance between sweet and sour."
"All of this makes the fruit suitable for the export market, with the additional advantage of its production window, which allows it to fill a very interesting gap in the market. In the northern hemisphere, its marketing period can easily be extended up to January."
Globally licensed genetics
After its development in Spain, Caliplant Genetics granted Genesis Fresh the master license for global commercial use, which requires managing the plant material, protecting, controlling, and defending the variety in different countries, and issuing licenses to local growers. "Since then, the Kingdom has expanded rapidly in Spain, Italy, and Portugal, and is in the process of being introduced in Peru, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, and Australia.
"It is in a different stage of development in each country," says Mateu Chilet, head of business development at Genesis Fresh. "Because the results in Europe have been so consistent, growers from Africa, America, and Oceania are coming to see it on site.
© Caliplant Agro
"At Genesis Fresh, we are known worldwide as specialists in the management of new citrus varieties, but after learning about Kingdom, we decided to start working also with pomegranate, because it surprised us as a variety. I myself was one of the first growers in Spain to plant the Kingdom," he says. "Its semi-acid flavor is very powerful and makes it perfect for all markets; it has the refreshing touch that northern Europe likes, but also the sweetness that Mediterranean and Latin countries are looking for. On top of all that, it also delivers a higher productivity per hectare."
© Caliplant Agro
The Kingdom's high productivity and visual and organoleptic qualities have led to it being quickly adopted by growers and marketers and, above all, by consumers. "The largest pomegranate stores in Spain already prefer the Kingdom above other varieties because of the lower wastage, better shelf life, and clearly higher profitability."
"In the field, the variety performs consistently year after year, with good vigor and flowering, as well as productive stability over the years. It also stands out for its long post-harvest shelf life, a key aspect for exports to distant markets such as Canada, Brazil, or Asia. The Kingdom has not only fulfilled our initial expectations, but has actually exceeded them," says Chilet. "We are no longer talking about a promise, but a consolidated reality."
"The variety has also aroused considerable interest in the pre-prepared convenience food industry, especially among companies devoted to aril processing, who appreciate its consistency, color, and easy extraction, which allows them to obtain a higher yield," says Juan Antonio.
The early red pomegranates that the market was demanding: Mely and Dolce Vega.
The success of the Kingdom has paved the way for new selections within the same genetic program. These include the Mely and the Dolce Vega, early varieties that also have the soft seed and balanced flavor of Kingdom, but with earlier ripening. "The market wanted red, semi-acid early pomegranates with a good caliber, something that didn't exist until now," says the commercial director of Caliplant Genetics. "With the Mely and Dolce Vega, we have achieved this balance of intense color, flavor, and great production and calibers. Moreover, with the Dolce Vega, we also get added value, given its excellent post-harvest shelf life."
"These new varieties are allowing us to extend the commercial window and market the fruit from September to January, and they also have a sufficient shelf life for long-distance exports."
© Caliplant Agro
This pomegranate "is a turning point for the sector"
After several years of consistent results, the Kingdom has consolidated itself as a winning bet for both growers and marketers. "It is probably the most profitable pomegranate in the world today, as shown by the fact that the current demand for Kingdom pomegranate is far higher than the supply."
"The Kingdom - The Best One, as it is known commercially, is the tangible result of varietal innovation applied to pomegranate cultivation; a fruit that is visually attractive, with a balanced flavor and productivity that has established it as a turning point for the sector."
For more information:
Caliplant Genetics
[email protected]
www.caliplantgenetic.com
