Following the signature of a representation contract with Niwa in Poland earlier this year, we can update that additional developments are moving apace with the new blackberry varieties. Trials of the Juhas and Maryna primocane blackberries have been established in a range of territories. Our partners are looking forward to seeing their first berries later this year from the primocane crop.

Current year results from Poland continue to demonstrate the exceptional fruit quality previously witnessed. Maryna is excelling as a double-cropping variety, whereas Juhas is at its best in pure primocane fruiting systems.

We will update more later this season.

Agnieszka Orzel, Breeder at Niwa, commented, “I have been working on primocane blackberries for many years now. In addition to the obligatory fruit yield and quality aspects, I have focused on high levels of self-fertility and thornlessness. I am confident that the Maryna and Juhas varieties can adapt very well to the important global blackberry growing regions. Self-fertility is oft forgotten in Rubus breeding but it can have a huge impact on primocane yields in warmer climates. From our initial results, we see that Maryna is better adapted to double cropping and that Juhas is more suitable for single primocane harvesting.”