As of this month, grape growers from Brazil have one more variety of seedless grape available. Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Company) will launch its Isis variety, which will be the fifth type of seedless grape created by the research company. The others are Clara and Linda Morena, released in 2003, and the Victoria variety created last year.
Alexandre Hoffmann, from Embrapa Uva e Vinho in Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, reported that all the varieties had been developed in Petrolina (Pernambuco) so the producers can rely on the technology developed in their own country.
Brazil, leader in various technology areas, is also at the forefront of grape varieties, with and without seeds, available to growers. According to the technician, the increase in consumption of seedless grapes in Brazil led to the increase in production of this fruit in the region of Petrolina. Prior to this, he said, most of the production was destined for export.
"There was an increase in demand and competition in the foreign market. This caused an increase in supply in the Brazilian market. This makes it possible for consumers to have access to higher quality products, whereas a few years ago the price was high and it was an imported product," he said.