The Miyoshi Group from Japan has recently released two new Japanese strawberry varieties of F1 strawberry. Now, excitingly, Japanese strawberry seeds can be exported to the global market.
Yuki Otsuka works in the sales department of the Miyoshi Group. The company recently exhibited at Fruit Logistica to let a European audience discover its sweet fresh strawberries.
To the right, President Seiichi of the Miyoshi Group from Japan
Yuki introduces the new variety available for exports: “Japanese strawberries are known for their deep flavor pallet, high brix levels, and strong aromas. The varieties we work with are early varieties that can be ripe from June. Overall, their production cycle is short, and they can be harvested sooner than regular strawberry varieties. Excitingly, our fruit was very well received in Berlin by the visitors that we welcomed at our stand earlier this month.”
The Berry Pop Haruri variety, part of the Berry Pop family
The Berry Pop Haruri strawberry, part of the Berry Pop family
“Originally, Japanese strawberry plants were not allowed for exports, but now our seeds can be exported directly to global markets. Our product is designed to make the work of the grower and distributor easier. It also reduced the environmental loads that come with strawberry production,” continues Yuki.
The strawberry plants can be grown directly from the Miyoshi F1 seeds. Therefore, there is no need to grow and propagate the mother plant. This not only saves time in the greenhouse; it also shortens the production process by up to three months.
“A typical production schedule for Japanese strawberries starts with the sowing cell trays in May, followed by flowering induction in September. The harvest period is between November and May of next year. This process saved on plant storage, propagation, and raising the seedlings, which shortens the entire process considerably,” explains Yuki. This process also saves on labor costs and production space and is less demanding for the environment.
To the right, Berry Pop strawberry seeds
Seeds can be saved for years under the right conditions. This series makes the growers’ production schedule shorter and simpler. It is also more convenient for the grower when there are new orders placed, as it only needs sowing on the date counting back from the delivery date, which makes it more flexible for the grower.
“We are so excited that Japanese strawberries will become one of the options for consumers in Europe and in other parts of the world. We calculated that because the production process is shortened, less chemical sprays need to be used, less heating costs, and less fertilizer use. In total, this will save more than 40% of total CO2 emission and reduces pesticide, fertilizer, and other chemical use by almost 80%,” says Yuki: “This all when comparing the process to production after cutting from the mother plant. In Japan, we see the demand for sustainable products growing and becoming more important.”
Berry Pop strawberry variety young plant
Berry Pop strawberry variety young plants seedling tray
Berry Pop variety launch
At Fruit Logistica, Miyoshi Group launched its F1 Seed Strawberry Project – Berry Pop. The design and marketing campaign is situated around a lady wearing a Japanese kimono, drawn in a Japanese-style cartoon with bright and popping colors.
“We want the campaign to make it recognizable that the fruit comes from Japan. We are planning to use this logo to make the customer recognize this strawberry variety in the market. We launched two varieties part of this first generation: the Berry Pop Sakura, which is rich in sweetness and soft on the sourness Secondly, and the Berry Pop Haruhi, which has a balanced combination of sweetness and sourness. Breeding improvements are being made all the time, and new varieties will continue to be introduced. We cannot wait for the world to try, taste and enjoy the delight of fresh Japanese strawberries.”
The Berry Pop Sakura strawberry is part of the Berry Pop family of varieties
For more information:
Yuki Otsuka, Sales Department
Miyoshi Group
Email: [email protected]
https://miyoshi-strawberry.jp/