Interest in a new variety of sweet strawberry that promises excellent flavour, very early harvesting and a low carbon footprint is reportedly growing among Spanish growers.
Developed by the renowned Italian group Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti (CIV), the Flavia variety is said to have a high resistance to diseases including powdery mildew and is now being touted as an ideal strawberry for both conventional and organic production, apparently performing especially well in tired soils without need for fumigation.
According to CIV, major players in the Spanish berry business are planning to undertake test plantings in 2017, following the success of recent trials.
The group certainly has form when it comes to developing varieties suited to international retail distribution, counting the likes of Clery, a key player in the north and central European strawberry market, among recent success stories.
Other strong performers from the CIV stable in recent years include Joly, said to be highly appreciated in Belgium, and Murano, which became a benchmark variety for UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s thanks to its good combination of flavour and colour.
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