BERRY FRUIT IN BELGIUM

Belgium has a reputation for innovation in berry fruit production, and when the opportunity occurred for me to make a visit in June I took it in both hands.

So what does this all mean in berry fruit production in the Antipodes?

My experiences at Massey University with greenhouses strawberries will be published at a later time, but it does appear that at a latitude of 40°S, Elsanta will initiate flowers year-round, so all the sophisticated technology used in Belgium for this variety is unnecessary. As far as other strawberry varieties are concerned, it is (of course) a totally different matter. For example the very popular Californian-bred variety Camarosa would probably require similar treatment in New Zealand (or Australia) to that used for Elsanta in Belgium for it to crop year-round.

As far as other berry fruit types are concerned, the sky would appear to be the limit. If the supermarkets require year-round berry fruit, then the potential and the technology is available (at a price) to provide the product locally, from Darwin to Hobart or from Whangerei to Invercargill!!!