Spain: Lagorai raspberry production volumes expected to double

In recent years, Onubafruit has turned R&D into the backbone of the company, with the aim of discovering products which stand out in the berry sector. Furthermore, it is focusing on the development of exclusive varieties that can give it a competitive advantage, with raspberries such as the Lagorai, Imara, Kweli and Vajolet, which have achieved a great commercial success since their launch in 2014 and which will continue on the same path in this new campaign - but with important new developments.

In the case of the Lagorai, one of its most recent varieties, the plan is to increase the acreage significantly and double the production volumes to meet the growing demand. The variety has also been chosen for premium formats for some destinations. The goal is "to gradually replace the predominant variety at this time, the Glen Lyon," report sources from the Huelva-based cooperative.

The most noteable features of the Lagorai are its taste and the uniformity of the fruits, both in terms of shape and size, with a large calibre maintained throughout the entire cycle.

In the case of the Imara and Kweli, the news is that the production schedules will be changed this campaign, delaying them to ensure production peaks in the months of November, December and January, instead of starting in October. "This change is a response to a strategy to find the most appropriate period for the optimal development of the fruits, given that both varieties reach their best organoleptic and visual properties (better flavour, colour and size) when the weather is cooler.

The Vajolet will record the same volumes as last year. "It is a variety that stands out for its good taste," explained Onubafruit.

Always in search for new, distinct varieties, Onubafruit has three quite promising products currently in the selection process which are being tested in a farm acquired in April.

This year, they will increase the volumes to see how they perform under real growing conditions, and if all goes as planned, the company will soon add them to its wide range of berries. Onubafruit's R&D seeks to improve the taste and get good sizes and a longer shelf life to allow the fruit to maintain the highest quality for as long as possible at the point of sale.

Furthermore, they claim that it is important to balance these factors with other aspects, such as ease of handling and performance in the field; two basic requirements to ensure the profitability of producers.

Earlier this year, Onubafruit invested one million Euro in a new eight hectare farm which recreates the actual conditions of soil cultivation. In the farm, which they already owned, tests were carried out with hydroponic systems.