Field day in Nashik highlights progress of breeder’s varieties, and the potential to further develop Indian table grape exports
Leading global fruit breeder Bloom Fresh says it has entered a new phase in India with the first commercial-scale production of its premium grape varieties, describing it as a “significant milestone” for both the company and the country’s rapidly evolving grape sector.
The progress was highlighted during a field day held on 18 February at Agxotic Farms, a commercial farm in Nashik. Growers, retailers and buyers gathered to assess the performance of several Bloom Fresh varieties: Sheegene 20, Sheegene 13, Sheegene 2 and Sheegene 21 – marketed as Allison, Timco, Timpson and Ivory respectively – all of which demonstrated strong commercial potential, according to a Bloom Fresh media release.
“The event underscored how Bloom Fresh is contributing to a step change in grape quality and consumer experience, supporting India’s ambition to strengthen its position as a reliable supplier of premium table grapes to global markets,” said the release.
India’s Maharashtra region continues to draw growing attention from international buyers, and Bloom Fresh is playing a leading role in introducing advanced grape genetics tailored to meet export market demands. Through its long-term commitment to the Indian table grape industry, supported by its dedicated local team in India, the company is accelerating the transition toward higher-value varieties that deliver consistent quality and align with evolving consumer expectations.
“We believe these new varieties have the potential to significantly enhance India’s export capabilities, opening access to markets that were previously difficult to reach with traditional varieties,” said Karen Smit-Lotriet, commercial manager at Bloom Fresh India.
Industry stakeholders see strong potential for Indian-grown premium grapes to reach key destination markets, supported by improved fruit quality, consistency and post-harvest performance, according to Bloom Fresh. In addition to filling a strategic seasonal supply window, the growing volumes of IP varieties represent a clear upgrade for consumers compared with traditional varieties, creating an opportunity to stimulate demand and expand category growth during this period.
Weathering climatic challenges
From a technical standpoint, Bloom Fresh says its varieties have adapted well to challenging climatic conditions, including the extreme heat and humidity common across Indian growing regions.
Polibio Moreno, technical manager for Bloom Fresh in India, noted that the performance of the varieties this season has been particularly encouraging despite adverse weather conditions.
“Despite prolonged periods of rain and cloudy weather in this season, the performance of these varieties has been excellent,” said Moreno.
This resilience is critical to ensuring consistent fruit quality and dependable commercial production, supporting growers as they transition to new-generation varieties, Bloom Fresh added.
With commercial production now underway, Bloom Fresh believes the expansion of its premium varieties in India will play an important role in the country’s long-term export growth, while reinforcing the company’s commitment to developing the Indian table grape industry. Last year, Bloom Fresh inaugurated its R&D Centre in India, where selected varieties are being evaluated before commercial release.
The programme also creates opportunities to expand domestic consumption by providing growers with varieties designed to address agronomic challenges while meeting modern market expectations, Bloom Fresh added.
