This selection has been evaluated in non-cold environments since 2014 and has been planted in test fields throughout Peru, with very satisfactory results and characteristics.

“Among the most notable virtues of FCM14-057 is its shelf life, clearly superior compared to other varieties. For the consumer, the overall experience is excellent, as they are large, firm fruits that have an excellent flavor," explained Julio Zavala, Commercial Manager of Fall Creek.^® Peru.

Production of the new variety begins at the beginning of the season, with an expected total yield of at least 20 tons per hectare by the second season.

“Even in this challenging year, we are excited by the results and potential of FCM14-057. Since our first cold-free variety, Ventura, was planted in Peru, we have made an effort to develop new ones, each time better for the region," said Zavala.

“Today we have multiple options in both the Fall Creek® Collection and Sekoya® programs, including BiancaBlue® 'FCM12-087', AzraBlue™ 'FCM14-031', SekoyaPop® 'FCM14-052' and Sekoya Beauty® 'FCM12- 097'. Now, FCM14-057 is a continuation of that effort,” he said.

For a grower looking to replace Ventura, which has been hit particularly hard in this historic El Niño year, FCM14-057 represents a considerable improvement in fruit quality in cold storage.

It is also an attractive option for growers who want to diversify their offer with more recent varieties.

"It is undeniable that the entire sector – and this is also true for the agricultural industry as a whole – is in a learning process regarding the behavior of new varieties in the face of climate change, so it is always a good idea to adopt different selections”, stressed the interviewee.

Constant research and development

As a company, Fall Creek® prioritizes research and development applied to blueberries, with the intention of adapting and responding in the most agile way to changes in the climate and in the market at a local and global level.

“After years of development, and judging by the trials we have carried out in Peru, it is now clear that FCM14-057 can meet the changing needs of producers. Unlike Biloxi, most fruits exceed 21mm and the texture after 30 days in cold storage is much better than Ventura. On the other hand, compared to leading selections such as SekoyaPop® 'FCM14-052', the new variety FCM14-057 is almost as crunchy and the fruit size is almost the same. Additionally, it has proven to be easy to handle during the establishment phase, which is always a challenging time for the producer,” concluded Zavala.