Like the last two years, Olympic Fruit was excited to attend the Open Field Days, which were held from 19 till 23 August in California. The Open Field Days are hosted by leading global grape breeders Bloomfresh, Sun World and Grapa.
Previous Experiences
Three years ago, during our first trip to the Open Field Days, Lennart and Desmond explored the world of grape breeding, building valuable connections and gaining insights into the future of the industry. Last year, our visit with grower El Murtal provided a fresh perspective on how growers engage with new developments. Seeing El Murtal build a connection with Sun World was insightful, and it highlighted the role we could play in shaping the future of grape variety selection.
This Year’s Insights
This year, we were joined by Postuma, a key trade customer serving specialty stores in the Netherlands. Their participation sparked valuable discussions with breeders about the critical importance of product differentiation, taste, and seasonality in specialty markets. With these insights, it was clear that Postuma’s focus on high-quality products matches well with the innovations shown at the Open Field Days. Top companies like Bloomfresh, Grapa, and Sun World are leading the way in developing new grape varieties to meet the rising demand for premium fruit with their latest advancements.
Key Highlights
At the Open Field Days, Grapa, known for their ARRA grapes, introduced a new seedless variety that combines exceptional sweetness with an extended shelf life. This new variety is set to reduce waste and provide significant benefits to both consumers and growers. Meanwhile, Sun World, known for their Icon and Vintage grapes, presented new varieties that boast enhanced crunch and vibrant colour, targeting the premium market where consumers seek superior taste and visual appeal.
Focus on Sustainability
Sustainability was a major theme at the Open Field Days this year. Both Grapa and Sun World emphasized their commitment to developing grape varieties that use less water, are disease-resistant, and yield higher returns. This focus on sustainability is crucial as climate change and resource scarcity present ongoing challenges for the agricultural sector.
Exploring Opportunities
At Olympic Fruit, we saw the Open Field Days as a vital opportunity to connect all parts of the grape industry, from breeders and growers to customers. This event allowed us to build meaningful connections and promote collaboration, leading to the discovery of unique opportunities in the fruit sector. By gathering various stakeholders, the Open Field Days demonstrated how working together and exchanging ideas can create innovative solutions and drive industry growth.
Our time at the Open Field Days showed us just how important innovation, sustainability and teamwork are in the grape industry. As we keep exploring new opportunities, we are dedicated to improving grapes and making the consumer experience better. Our recent trip to California marked another step in our journey to discover the infinite opportunities for fruit in the grape industry.
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with us, please feel free to reach out.