Angus Soft Fruits are proud to announce the release of three new strawberry varieties, AVA™ Alicia, AVA™ Catalina and AVA™ Sofia. Each variety has been bred to produce delicious fruit throughout the winter season. Intended for production in the Mediterranean region, trials and tests over the past three years have proved they have something special to offer growers, retailers, and consumers.
The three varieties were bred and selected by the Angus Soft Fruits Breeding Program team led by Dave Griffiths, Research Director.
The science behind breeding these varieties started several years ago when Angus Soft Fruits reviewed their Mediterranean production of strawberries. Varieties at that time were deemed to lack some of the characteristics enjoyed during the summer season of production. Efforts were made to combine genetics that would express the appearance and flavour of the traditional ‘summer season’ berries. Also required in the makeup of the new varieties was the ability for them to produce fruit in the short days of winter, albeit during the warm climate enjoyed during the Mediterranean winter. The results have more than satisfied the requirements of Angus Soft Fruits farmers, retailers and consumers alike, allowing for the scaling up of production of the varieties in the months and years ahead.
