Planasa Added Three New Blackberry Varieties
The company expanded its breeding portfolio with new thornless options for global production.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Botany
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Planasa has announced the addition of three new thornless blackberry varieties to its agricultural breeding portfolio. These selections aim to improve yield and harvesting efficiency for growers.
Why it matters
Breeding programs focus on enhancing fruit quality, shelf life, and flavor to meet the specific requirements of retailers and consumers. These developments allow growers in diverse regions to optimize their production cycles.
The new Black Rainier and Black Iguazú varieties feature a thornless architecture, while Black Yosemite was engineered for specific conditions in Mexico. These additions follow the recent performance of the Malaika raspberry, which maintains a shelf life of 14 days.
The players
Planasa
An international agri-tech company specializing in the development and distribution of berry plant varieties.
IFSI
A U.S.-based company focused on agricultural breeding and development that was acquired by Planasa.
The details
Planasa uses selective breeding programs to isolate desired traits, including fruit firmness, calibre (size), and ease of harvest. The company evaluates advanced strawberry selections in northern Spain before determining their suitability for commercial markets. These trials ensure that selections meet standards for both high-volume production and consumer-facing quality attributes.
Timeline
RedSayra was identified as the most widely planted strawberry variety in Spain in 2025.
Pink Loira was introduced to the market in 2025.
The Tech Race
The addition of new blackberry varieties follows a trajectory similar to the development of the Malaika raspberry, which set the company benchmark for a 14-day shelf life. This expansion competes within the global market for high-yield, durable fruit genetics.
Growers and retailers can expect these new thornless varieties to offer improved harvesting efficiency compared to traditional thorny strains. The fruit selections aim to improve consistency for consumers, though regional availability will depend on the rollout to commercial farms.
The takeaway
Planasa is aggressively expanding its genetic portfolio to dominate the high-efficiency berry market. Watch for performance data from the new blackberry lines at the Fruit Attraction exhibition.
What happens next
Planasa will showcase its latest berry breeding developments at the upcoming Fruit Attraction exhibition, located at stand 9F02 in Hall 9.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in plant genetics and cultivation in our Botany section.
More information
For detailed information on the company's agricultural portfolio, visit the Planasa company website.
Live Poll
Do you believe current fruit breeding techniques result in better quality produce for your household?
