"Raspberries are more well known than blueberries, but they are consumed less, as raspberries are less available." Alexandre Pierron Darbonne set the tone for the presentations on raspberries in a separate part of the programme. Together with Gerard Loon of The Greenery and Jan van Bergeijk of Plus Berries he looked at the question of how raspberries can take over a better spot on the shelf.
Jan van Bergeijk (Plus Berries), Gerard van Loon (The Greenery) and Alexandre Pierron Darbonne (Planasa).
A new variety isn't necessarily a success, continues Gerard. "To make a success of it collaboration is needed in the chain. We need feedback from the consumer. Every new variety has a learning curve."
Planasa is working on new raspberry varieties, among other things. Alexandre explains that this process takes around eight years before a variety is commercial. To increase the market, varieties with a better shelf life are needed. Price is also a determining factor. The varieties have to be good to grow and easy to pick. According to the Spanish breeder the Adelita is a variety that meant growth for the Southern European sector.
Alexandre Pierron Darbonne of Planasa.
An umbrella label for raspberries would be a good solution according to Gerard. "There are a lot of varieties that the consumer doesn't know. An umbrella label is important." He points at Pink Lady, of which the name guarantees quality. "That is the future for soft fruit."
Jan van Bergeijk, with over twenty years of experience in raspberry cultivation in Spain, sees a footnote for raspberries. "It isn't simple," he says. "The quality of the fruit can change quickly due to the weather." Raspberries are also a sensitive product. Moving the cultivation to Morocco, for instance, isn't a solution according to Jan. "That means longer transport times and that isn't possible. You're limited with how far away you can be from the market with raspberries."
