From West to East

In this week’s edition, we visit the field days of two upcoming varieties in Brazil and take a look at the recent Asia Fruit Logistica Exhibition in Hong Kong where Grapa exhibited.

8A-19+4 ‘Jumbo’ Open Field Day

In August, the Grapa technical team in Brazil, Augusto Prado, Russaika Nascimento and Nayara Setoguchi held the first field day which focused exclusively on the variety 8A-19+4, as some growers have already ordered seedlings of this variety.

Open Field Day in Brazil
Left to right: Nayara, Russaika, Mr. Carlos Fusato from Agropodas, Augusto and SunValley Farm agronomists.
ARRA Field Day in Brazil
Mr. Altamir Martins (second from left) and SunValley team

The field day took place at Mr. Altamir Martins’ SunValley Farm. Mr. Martins’ farm is the first to plant 8A-19+4 in a semi-commercial plot. As Russaika explains, “we decided to hold this field day since some of the growers saw this variety in California and were very impressed.”

ARRA Field Day in Brazil
Augusto and Mr. Wesley Eduardo explain the applied protocol and management

Mr. Wesley Eduardo, field manager at SunValley has done excellent work; he and Augusto decided on one protocol of Gibb and the results were amazing, with good berry size. Another important point was the crop management; Mr. Eduardo was very strict about keeping only one bunch per shoot.

ARRA Field Day in Brazil
The participants were amazed by the beautiful bunches and berry size.

After the field day, more ARRA growers have decided to plant 8A-19+4 and there is already a list of growers waiting for material.
This successful field day was attended by more than 100 growers, consultants and field managers and the event was sponsored by Agropodas and TimacAGro.

Variety 8A-19+4, in the field
Variety 8A-19+4

Variety 33-31+7 Open Field Day

In July, more than 60 growers and field managers attended a field day devoted to the variety 33-31+7 at the farm of Mrs. Maria Alice Pereira Gomes of Coopexvale, Brazil.
Grapa technical team, Russaika and Augusto, saw the importance of holding the field day since there are almost forty hectares of this variety planted. First planted at the end of 2016, some growers harvested their first crop of 33-31+7 last year.

33-31+7 on the vine at field day.
Left to right: Mr. Josivaldo, Field Manager and Mr. Jackson Lopes, Consultant at Maria Alice Farm. Mr. Tietres, Quality Control Manager from Coopexvale.
33-31+7 vineyard
The field day participants were keen to learn about this promising variety
The field day participants were keen to learn about this promising variety

At present, the protocol of this variety is being improved; we have a good protocol for berry size, however, we are trying to perfect this wonderful selection and we believe that next semester the plantation will increase. The field day was sponsored by Acqua do Brazil and Central de Adubos.

Augusto, Nayara and Russaika - Grapa's winning team in Brazil
Augusto, Nayara and Russaika - Grapa's winning team in Brazil

2018 Asia Fruit Logistica Exhibition, Hong Kong

The Grapa team packed a lot into the fruitful three days we exhibited at 2018 Asia Fruit Logistica Exhibition in Hong Kong.

Grapa Team at Asia Fruit Logistica
International visitors to the Grapa stand enjoyed a taste of the ARRA™ varieties displayed and the chance to meet the Grapa team.

At the exhibition, the ARRA varieties were to be found not just at the Grapa stand, but also displayed at the exhibits of Jupiter Marketing, Romeo’s Best and Perfection Fresh.

Mr. Mark Tweddle, Managing Directior of Jupiter Marketing, Mr. Michael Simonetta, CEO of Perfection Fresh and Mr. Stephen Dever, General Manager, Marketing & Operations of Romeo's Best. - Jupiter Marketing and Romeo's Best
Mr. Mark Tweddle, Managing Directior of Jupiter Marketing, Mr. Michael Simonetta, CEO of Perfection Fresh and Mr. Stephen Dever, General Manager, Marketing & Operations of Romeo's Best.
Rafi and Shachar were interviewed at the Grapa stand by Fruitnet Media International.
Rafi and Shachar were interviewed at the Grapa stand by Fruitnet Media International.
ARRA varieties breeder Shachar Karniel, presented the lecture 'Global Table Grape Breeding Programmes'
ARRA varieties breeder Shachar Karniel, presented the lecture 'Global Table Grape Breeding Programmes'

It was our pleasure

We would like to extend a big thank you to all our friends, visitors and colleagues who took the time to visit us at Asia Fruit Logistica.

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