Four new 100% Chilean raspberry varieties

The Fruit Technological Consortium has once again surprised the sector with the launch of 4 new raspberry varieties: Santa Eduvina, Santa Guillermina, Santa Rosa, and Santa Isabel. In the past, the Consortium’s Raspberry Genetic Improvement Program had already launched three raspberry varieties, Santa Catalina, Santa Clara, and Santa Teresa. According to Asoex, these varieties were very well accepted by Chilean farmers and at the international level, given their remontancy, quality, yield, and great caliber.

Maria Fernanda Alvarez, Coordinator of the Fruit Technology Consortium, highlighted the new developments and the importance of joint work. “These new varieties are the result of 14 years of work and are proof that we are capable of obtaining achievements in genetic matters in Chile. The Fruit Technological Consortium worked jointly with Asoex, partner fruit companies, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and Corfo,” she added.

The new varieties were developed within the framework of the Corfo 16PTECFS-6664 Project and presented to the public on April 5 at the experimental field of the Raspberry PMG in Santo Domingo at the project’s closing ceremony.

Marina Gambardella, director of the Raspberry PMG of the Fruit Technology Consortium and researcher and academic at the PUC, said: “Our goal as a genetic improvement program is to deliver, every time, better alternatives to producers, and that is what we are doing today. These new varieties share the same flavor characteristics as our first raspberries, as well as other characteristics, but have better yield potential. In addition, there is a yellow variety to be able to mix colors when one presents the fruit to the consumer or in confectionery. We have also named them in honor of 4 women producers who have been pioneers in trying our first raspberries. It’s a way of recognizing the great work they do, as well as other women producers throughout the country.”