Haegeum: this is the name of the new variety of yellow kiwis developed under license by Sofruileg, a French company specialized in research and development, as well as license management.
Nominated at SIVAL Innovation 2023, this new variety is currently being produced in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Historically developed in Korea, the first trials in France started in 2015. “It then took us 4 years to assess the variety, its agronomic properties, its taste qualities and storage capacity. Based on the initial results, we set up a production of plants that can be offered on different rootstocks,” explains Jean-Pierre Caruel. It is still a “small-scale” production which should really take off in 2024.
The primary objective is to grow on the French market. But Sofruileg has a production license that allows it to develop the variety throughout Europe.
Still rare on the market, the yellow kiwi varieties are a segment that is “growing rapidly,” according to Jean-Pierre Caruel / © Sofruileg 2022 yellow kiwi variety HAEGEUM.
“Haegeum helps bridge the gap between the northern and southern hemispheres”
The variety arrived at the right time! “Its marketing period lasts 4 to 5 months, from January until May,” which is exactly when there is a dip in production between the north and the south. “Haegeum allows us to extend the marketing period and to bridge the gap between the productions from the northern and southern hemispheres. It brings complementarity and avoids a break after the early varieties.”
Higher storage capacity
“Visually attractive in terms of skin and size, it has a strong and shiny yellow flesh.” But besides its visual and taste qualities, Haegeum also has a higher storage capacity than the “current varieties”, which ensures a longer marketing period. “We can therefore offer consumers a yellow kiwi until very late in the season.” Additionally, Sofruileg's new yellow kiwis have a “rather high” production potential compared to the early varieties, with “35 to 40 tons per hectare”.
Sofruileg will be present at SIVAL (Hall B, Booth C53).
For more information: 
Jean-Pierre Caruel
Sofruileg
Phone: +33 6 13 89 14 33
[email protected]
www.sofruileg.com
