Hargreaves Plants has secured the propagation and marketing rights to one of the world's most advanced asparagus breeding programs.
Aspara Pacific managing director Dr Peter Falloon has granted the sole rights within Greater Europe to Hargreaves Plants.
Jamie Petchell, asparagus project leader for Hargreaves plants, said: “We have been trialing varieties from the Aspara Pacific program for a number of seasons and have seen how well they have adapted to the European climate. Besides, the green types JWC1 and Pacific 2000, we are able to offer the world's leading purple variety Pacific Purple. Not only is it the highest yielding variety type on the market but also, when used for the production of white asparagus, it produces super sweet white spears.
"This variety could be revolutionary for the traditional white market. The variety does not only look attractive when cooked, it makes an exciting, sweet and colourful addition to fresh salads.”
Dr Falloon, who has worked as a plant breeder since the late 1970s, is looking forward to linking up with Hargreaves. He said: “My varieties have a proven track record in New Zealand and Asia and I am convinced from trial results that they will go on to do the same in Europe. I have chosen Hargreaves as my sole distributor in Europe because of their refreshing approach to asparagus and I'm looking forward to a long working relationship with the company.”
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