EDITORIAL
New genomic techniques (NGTs) are not a threat
Having just returned from the World Seed Congress held in Lisbon, a few ideas are still running through my mind: Why does Europe still not have access to gene editing techniques while many other countries do?
PROFILE OF THE MONTH
Fina Mena: Born to travel
Fina Mena (Don Benito, 1968) is outgoing, possesses the people skills of an exceptional salesperson and is perfectly capable of carrying on an interview while simultaneously selling a container of grapes to the other side of the world. She describes herself as stubborn because she is a Taurus, but also fiercely loyal
NEWS
Genome editing and global trade take centre stage at the World Seed Congress
More than 1,700 delegates from 75 countries attended the 2026 World Seed Congress, organised by ISF in Lisbon from 18 to 20 May
Lorena Basso: “My obsession is moving seeds. For that, we need aligned regulations and phytosanitary systems that work”
Argentina’s Lorena Basso, the first woman president in ISF’s 102-year history, sets out her agenda: gender equality, regulatory innovation and the free movement of seeds
Family businesses dominate the seed sector, but succession remains a challenge
Family-owned companies account for 89% of businesses worldwide and generate more than 50% of global GDP. Seed companies face three major challenges
“Genome editing is a real opportunity to unlock innovation in Europe”
Jeff Rowe, CEO of Syngenta Group, champions artificial intelligence, synthetic chemistry and biologicals in Lisbon as complementary tools to increase yields and reduce agriculture’s environmental impact
MELON & WATERMELON
Melon seeks greater flavour consistency and reliability
Melon still faces an unresolved challenge: reducing uncertainty at the moment of purchase
From conquering the early melon segment to targeting La Mancha
Syngenta aims to revolutionise the piel de sapo segment once again with a branded line designed to restore Sancho’s leading position
Rijk Zwaan showcases the future of melon and watermelon
During its open days, the company focuses on concepts designed to anticipate the challenges that lie ahead
“Bollo and Bruñó melon and watermelon are guaranteed throughout the entire season”
Fruit Today magazine spoke with Antonio Alarcón, CEO of Bollo Natural Fruit, who stated that the presence of Bollo and Bruñó products is consistently guaranteed throughout the season
Watermelon and convenience take centre stage at Melon&Watermelon Week
Bayer Seminis will hold its event from 29 June to 3 July at its Miranda farm in Campo de Cartagena under the slogan ‘Ready to enjoy’
BASF | Nunhems presents ‘the travelling watermelon’
NUN 32408 WMW F1, a striped seedless watermelon with outstanding internal quality, is one of the company’s major new introductions
The Bouquet watermelon family keeps growing
Orange-fleshed watermelon takes a step forward in 2026 within the Bouquet range and becomes one of the season’s major bets
“The future lies in smaller sizes”
With the melon and watermelon season already underway and a market that looks set to be demanding, Ramón Gil, partner at Grupo Algitama Autor, reviews the key aspects shaping the campaign
‘From Fitó to the world’ becomes the international showcase for melon and watermelon
Semillas Fitó highlights its strong watermelon portfolio and Claudio, its new cantaloupe bet, while presenting two new varieties under development adapted to market needs
AUXILIARY INDUSTRY
Europe’s circular plastics production slows down
The circular plastics ecosystem in Europe has slowed dramatically, with growth falling from 13.6% in 2022 to just 1.2% in 2024
The hidden engine of Spanish agriculture generates €1.635 billion and exports worldwide
Spain’s agricultural auxiliary industry has consolidated its position as a strategic player within the value chain, generating €1.635 billion in turnover and allocating 30% of its sales to export markets
Sormac drives efficiency in fresh produce processing
Natures Way Foods UK boosts performance with Sormac’s OptiCor Iceberg lettuce coring solution
Packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables: performance, sustainability and new demands
At ILIP, packaging is no longer just a container but a strategic element in product protection, waste reduction and value creation
Alltech® Crop Science launches PROCROP™ MITTEX
Procrop™ Mittex is an innovative biotechnological solution that strengthens crop physiology and activates the plant’s natural defence mechanisms from within
Packaging Cluster surpasses 100 member companies
The Cluster maintains growing activity with more than 30 actions per year and over 1,000 connected professionals
ClemenGold® and Sinclair: A partnership driving sustainability
ClemenGold International, the South African-based House of Brands behind one of the world’s leading citrus brands, ClemenGold® mandarins, has partnered with global fresh produce labelling leader Sinclair and its agent HG Molenaar to roll out the Sinclair T55
High-tech greenhouse farming gains ground in Spain and emerging markets
Heating, hydroponics and recirculation systems are the most in-demand technologies in the horticultural sector, while the Middle East and Central Asia are opting for highly complex projects
Sorma Group enhances recycling opportunities with Sorma Clipless
This clipless, mono-material net packaging eliminates metal closures while guaranteeing strength and durability. A practical solution designed to simplify recycling and optimise productivity during the packing process
STONE FRUIT
Europe increases its stone fruit production
Stone fruit harvest forecasts point to a 9% increase in production, although volumes will still remain below the sector’s full production potential
Frutas Torero: “It has been a highly fluctuating season”
The stone fruit campaign has progressed this year with an irregular pattern, shaped by weather conditions, fluctuations in demand and overlapping production from different growing regions
Royal revolutionises the stone fruit shelf
The company develops an unprecedented innovation with four new fruits designed to energise spring retail displays
Grupo Paloma: “what matters is not arriving early, but arriving with quality”
Traditionally recognised for its premium tomatoes, the Murcian company has built a new strategic line in stone fruit in recent years
MAF RODA: automation already shaping post-harvest competitiveness
The French company is driving more efficient and stable packing lines in response to labour shortages, with robotic systems using artificial vision for tray-packed fruit
Valencia stone fruit season ends with losses
The combination of rainfall and heat in the middle of the harvest overlapped supply and caused demand to fall sharply, especially for smaller sizes, undermining profitability.
ECOLOGICAL
Europe’s organic sector loses momentum
Since 2022–2023, the growth of organic farmland in Europe has begun to slow. As a result, the objective of reaching 25% organic farmland by 2030 is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve
Valencian Community’s organic sector approaches €1 billion
Once again, the turnover of the organic sector reached a historic record, with €962.6 million, up 15% compared with 2024
Young farmers show a stronger affinity for organic farming
The business network has grown by 25% over the last five years, according to Ecovalia’s 2026 Annual Report
BRASSICAS
+Brócoli strengthens its growth and reinforces its national and international projection
The +Brócoli association takes stock and confirms the positive evolution of the organisation and its consolidation as a benchmark in promoting broccoli consumption in Spain
Bimi® BBQ Day in Murcia: from seed to flame
Murcia is the world’s leading region in the production and export of Bimi®, the vegetable that continues to win over Europe thanks to its nutritional value, flavour and versatility
Deilor boosts Bimi® from the Murcian countryside
The Murcian cooperative strengthens its commitment to this brassica while defending the role of growers in a context of tight profitability and increasing sector technification
Popocatépetl and SVBL0362: new broccoli bets from Bayer Seminis
Bayer strengthens its portfolio with one broccoli variety for processing and another for the fresh market, along with a new cauliflower reference
BERRIES
Berries prepare for their XI International Congress
The International Berry Congress, organised by Freshuelva, celebrates its 11th edition on 17 and 18 June in Huelva
Researchers identify the genetic factors that determine strawberry flavour
A study has identified the genetic and environmental factors that influence strawberry flavour and quality depending on the growing area
CR Palos promotes SmartPalos to advance intelligent fertigation
The project, financed with European funds through the PERTE for the Digitalisation of the Water Cycle, will optimise water and fertiliser use through advanced digital tools
SEEDS
BASF | Nunhems enters the HR-to-rugose league with three varieties
Fondón, Ivarian and the Maaspower rootstock incorporate high resistance to rugose and stand out for their yield and quality
Bayer Seminis strengthens its cucumber portfolio with Calidus and Galdius
Designed to cover the main production cycles in Almería, Costa de Granada and the Canary Islands, they feature a complete resistance package and deliver rusticity, stability and high yield
Biogya, flavour and diversity in tomato
The Italian seed company, known for its Tomatelier brand, presents its new varieties with resistance to rugose
HM.Clause strengthens its portfolio with ToBRFV resistance
New materials added in cherry, plum and beefsteak tomato segments
Semillas Fitó strengthens its aubergine portfolio alongside the Augusto rootstock
The combination of the company’s varieties and its hybrid rootstock delivers improved root health, balanced vegetative growth and sustained productivity in an increasingly demanding environment for growers
Sakata expands its courgette portfolio with Kairoh
This new variety is the perfect complement to Kai for later spring transplants
Syngenta doubles its market share in ToBRFV-resistant rootstocks
Kronosor and Fervour increase sales and perform strongly during the wettest winter of the last 15 years
