Freshmax Group’s commercial IP development arm extends partnership with Italian breeder
Innovar Global and Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti (CIV) have partnered to introduce and develop an extensive portfolio of new strawberry genetics in New Zealand over the next five years. Developed in Italy, the CIV strawberry programme brings some of Europe and the UK’s leading new day neutral and everbearer strawberry cultivars to the New Zealand berryfruit industry for the first time.
CIV is one of the world’s leading breeders of strawberry and apple varieties, with complementary research programs centred on pear, cherry and rootstock development. Established in 1983 by founding partners and Salvi, Mazzoni and Tagliani it now has over 60 patented varieties and 300mn strawberry plants sold annually worldwide.
Innovar Global is a part of the wider Freshmax Group, one of the leading fresh produce marketers in the Asia Pacific region and with primary operations in Australia, New Zealand, the US and South America. Innovar specialises in licensing and commercialising leading new varieties in Australia and New Zealand and across global markets, with a core focus on cherries, avocados, stonefruit, apples, pears and berryfruit.
Innovar has maintained a long-standing partnership with CIV across both Australia and New Zealand. Recognising CIV’s strong track record in advanced strawberry breeding, Innovar identified an opportunity to introduce a new generation of genetics to the local market.
Since 2020, Innovar has selected and imported more than a dozen leading commercial varieties, several of which are already performing strongly in Europe. These cultivars have the potential to replace older commodity varieties still widely grown in New Zealand. According to Innovar, this represents a meaningful opportunity for quality, yield, and commercial improvement for an industry that continues to rely on traditional cultivars such as Camarosa.
The portfolio of CIV varieties now in New Zealand includes standout everbearers Flavia and Flaminia, both of which have delivered strong performance in early open-field trials. Flavia®is particularly notable for its early production timing, consistent yields, and excellent flavour profile. Well-regarded everbearers Murano and Xante have also been released in the country. Murano is among the most widely planted varieties in Northern Europe and has long been considered a benchmark cultivar in UK retail markets.
Innovar has also completed the introduction of a newer generation of CIV genetics. This includes Klodia, an early-ripening variety with a long production window and high Brix fruit; Cantus, known for high productivity; and Elide, a mid-to-late season variety that produces firm berries with intense sweetness.
“This has been a project a long time in the making,” said Rene Hylkema, new variety manager at Innovar. “New Zealand has a small but vibrant berryfruit industry and these varieties represent a great opportunity to support producers with productive, great tasting varieties that can extend and enhance our season”.
Simon Gillett, head of Innovar Global, agreed: “Over the past decade, we’ve built a strong and collaborative partnership with CIV. As one of the world’s leading strawberry breeders, they consistently set the benchmark for quality and innovation. We’re excited to introduce this new material to the New Zealand market.”
Select CIV varieties are now in early testing in New Zealand. Innovar expects material from more recently imported varieties to be available in 2026.
