VentureFruit, a global plant variety management and commercialization company, has introduced its portfolio of blueberry and boysenberry genetics (known as Rubus varieties) into North America to help meet consumer demand for premium berries. The company says this addition will accelerate its growth in North America’s high-value berry category.
This introduction is supported by a testing network of 14 sites across Canada, Oregon, California and Washington, as well as a new strategic partnership with California Giant Berry Farms (California Giant).
VentureFruit General Manager Morgan Rogers says this expansion provides growers and consumers with unique, high-value berries.
“Within our portfolio, we have new-generation raspberries, blackberries and boysenberries, as well as elite mid-to-high-chill blueberries,” Rogers says. “These genetics provide consumers with flavorsome, firm fruit, while providing growers with better-performing, market-desirable varieties during the traditional — and now short-supply — shoulder seasons.”
Partnership with California Giant Berry Farms
As part of its North American growth strategy, VentureFruit has entered into a strategic relationship with California Giant.
“Partnering with California Giant is a pivotal next step in VentureFruit’s Americas plan. They provide the commercial scale and market access needed to accelerate the introduction of our premium genetics across North America,” Rogers says. “We have licensed to California Giant a selection of premium new varieties from our joint breeding partnership with New Zealand’s Bioeconomy Science Institute, a world leader in plant variety breeding. Initial plant orders are scheduled to begin this year.”
California Giant Berry Farms President and CEO Joe Barsi says supporting grower success remains central to the company’s strategy.
“At California Giant, our priority is supporting the long-term success of our grower-partners,” Barsi says. “That means advancing genetics that deliver the high-quality, great-tasting blueberries consumers expect, while also ensuring strong yields, disease resilience and sustainable profitability for growers. As the category grows more competitive, access to differentiated, high-performing varieties is essential. Partnering with VentureFruit strengthens our ability to progress genetics that help growers thrive and keep the North American blueberry category moving forward.”
VentureFruit says all varieties in its berry program undergo rigorous evaluation for both agronomic performance and eating quality. This depth of testing is essential to ensuring market relevance and long-term demand, the company says, adding that these evaluations consistently demonstrate clear advantages for both growers and consumers.
Over the past year, VentureFruit has introduced 20 advanced berry selections into the United States, South America, Europe and China.
