GPG licenses two new strawberry nurseries in Argentina

Global Plant Genetics (GPG) has announced the licensing of two new nurseries in Argentina, Kleppe SA and Vivero Altus.

The appointment of these two nurseries is “significant”, GPG noted, as the requirement for improved-quality strawberry plants continues to increase across Latin America.

”Volumes are rising, alongside the rapid development of new varieties from the University of California breeding programme, all of which are managed in Latam by GPG,” it stated.

Both nurseries will propagate the existing ’legacy’ varieties, such as San Andreas and Fronteras, while also introducing more advanced replacement varieties in the near future.

Particular attention is focused on three day-neutral varieties — UCD Royal Royce, UC Eclipse, and UC Golden Gate — each offering what GPG calls “critical improvements” over current market leaders San Andreas and Monterey.

In addition, the day-neutral variety UCD Moxie is performing particularly well in Chile as an improvement to Monterey.

”The two nurseries bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the market,” the company outlined.

”Vivero Altus is a newly formed nursery based in El Maitén, Patagonia, owned by Laureano Delarmelina and Juan Vilar. Both have a long and proven track record in strawberry nursery management and fruit production.

”They are supported by Juan’s father, Ángel Vilar, who has served for many years as a technical advisor to several of Argentina’s strawberry plant producers,” it continued.

Kleppe SA, meanwhile, is a new entrant to the strawberry nursery sector, but is better known as one of Argentina’s two largest fruit exporters.

The company is ”ideally located” in Neuquén, in the Río Negro Valley, where it employs 3,700 people across 9,000ha — much of which is dedicated to intensive fruit production for export to more than 40 countries.

Commenting on the appointments, Rupert Hargreaves of GPG said the timing of the two nurseries joining the business is ideal, as strawberry growers are constantly seeking improved varieties and higher plant quality.

”The depth of experience and professionalism they bring, along with opportunities to scale production through their combined resources, is exceptional,” he said.

Growers throughout Latin America — as well as retailers, processors, and ultimately consumers — are looking for the next generation of strawberry varieties, GPG pointed out.

Varieties developed by the University of California currently account for more than 90 per cent of the Latin American strawberry market, and the introduction of replacements for San Andreas, and Fronteras from this programme will benefit growers, retailers, and consumers alike.

“I have followed the new varieties from GPG and the University of California extensively over the last five years, travelling to see them in nine different countries,” said Delarmelina. 

”It is very clear that the new replacement varieties offer significant improvements in areas such as yield, disease resistance, and shelf-life.

”While we will continue to support growers by producing plants of some legacy varieties, we have plans in place to rapidly expand plant numbers of the new varieties in order to meet anticipated grower demand in each country.”

Kleppe commented that, from the outset, the opportunity looked like an exciting business prospect for his company.

”My team conducted an in-depth analysis of the industry, and we believe strongly that, with our existing assets — including high-quality sandy land in the right location, multiple warehouses, and extensive cold storage facilities — we are well placed to produce significant volumes of high-quality plants for the Latin American market.

”Our company is 100 per cent focused on quality and consistency in everything we do, and we look forward to bringing that same level of professionalism and investment to the strawberry nursery sector,” he said.

”It will be an exciting venture to work with these varieties and with Rupert and his team at GPG.”