The cooperation between the international grape breeding company International Fruit Genetics (IFG) and the South African raisin industry has a long history.
According to the company's data, IFG currently has a total of 47 patented varieties of table grapes, of which Sweet Globe is the most widely planted variety in the world.Sweet Globs have a sweet taste, firm flesh, and are very shelf-stable, making them popular with the South African raisin industry.
IFG's mission is to "create an unparalleled eating experience".
"That's the goal of our table grape breeding work. We put the consumer first, to understand what they want, and then reverse to guide our varietal development," said Andy Higgins, CEO of IFG."If we can't create an unparalleled eating experience for consumers, we consider that to be our failure," he said.
In the past, growers often decided which grape varieties to plant based on production schedules.Today, more and more, the demand and feedback from the market determine the choice of varieties.In the search for new varieties, IFG has a clear strategy: to develop varieties that meet the needs of both growers and consumers.
The South African raisin industry generally believes that two of the three new varieties that have the most influence on the future of the industry are from IFG - Sweet Glob and Sweet Celebration.Sweet Glob grapes have a creamy green appearance and are not prone to yellowing.The variety is currently successfully grown in most of South Africa's growing regions.The advantages of sweet Qing grapes are that the fruit is large, crisp and juicy, and it is also suitable for planting in most producing areas of South Africa.The performance of these two varieties so far has earned the country's growers recognition, making them industry favorites.
It is worth mentioning that another new variety under IFG, Sweet Joy, has grown more rapidly in recent years.Data shows that five years ago, the production of this variety was only 26,000 boxes, and by 2021, this number has approached 2 million boxes.Sweet Joy is all black on the outside, with just the right amount of fruit frosting, sweet taste and crunchy texture.
“We all know that the Sweet Glob and Sweet Celebration grape varieties are already very successful, and Sweet Joy gives us a new opportunity to expand our black seedless grape business,” said Die Vlei Farms, Hex River Valley. Founder Leon Viljoen points out.He has a long-standing relationship with IFG and his son Reynecke Viljoen was the first trainee hired by IFG's California breeding team.
“We were looking for varieties with crisp, firm flesh and tasty flesh, and all three of IFG’s varieties met those criteria,” he said.
The IFG South Africa team and the local growers are also very much looking forward to the arrival of a new grape variety, which is called Sugar Crisp.This variety not only has stable yield and good rain resistance, but also has large and long fruit.
