Since 2015, Sakata has been bringing us new broccoli varieties to meet the needs of both consumers and producers
Broccoli consumption is on the rise on the European market. This is the reason why, in recent years, the seed company Sakata Seed Ibérica has devoted some of its efforts to developing new varieties of this brassica, responding to all the needs demanded by both consumers and producers.
In 2015, it launched Tritón onto the market, a variety that stands out due to its deep green colour and its high yield. In 2016, it presented Ares, which excels due to its earliness and uniformity, combined with high yield. In 2017, it was the turn of Gea and 2018 is the moment of Mykonos.
Mykonos is a variety with a very high tolerance to high temperatures, which makes it perfect for both spring and summer harvests. This characteristic is very significant, since to date it has only been possible to grow Naxos in the summer. Mykonos also has good post-harvest conservation. It is characterised by having a very domed, compact head and a very fine grain size.
Gea has a unique appearance, with a very round, bluish-coloured head with a very thin trunk, without any wounds. As there are virtually no wounds at the leaf inserts, there is less oxidation damage and as it is very homogeneous when harvested, the preparation process in the warehouse is much easier. Gea offers a very attractive vegetable, which is the quality most required by British buyers, Europe’s main consumers. Sakata has given added value to both Gea and Mykonos: a sweeter, milder flavour.
Sakata is using these new developments to show its purpose, offering a wide range of varieties adapted to each type of market, meeting the needs of farmers and society as a whole.
Apart from backing research, one of Sakata’s goals is that of promoting fruit and vegetable consumption. Therefore, this year it has launched the Sakata Awards, to support young talents from the gastronomy sector and people working both inside and outside the kitchens, promoting healthy eating.
