The Lamuyo segment remains stable. Consumers continue opting for it and paying for it, particularly in the places supplied by Mercamadrid, Mercabarna and the wholesale markets in the Basque County. On this market, Bayer is a reference and continues to provide new developments in line with the chain’s demands. The latest one is a pepper that appeals to nostalgia, as it evokes the mythical brand name of tractors and lorries founded by the engineer with the same surname, Barreiros. It is an important new development in Lamuyo because it is one of the first ones to reach the market with resistance to powdery mildew.
With this variety, Bayer has managed to provide resistance without sacrificing quality or production compared to the current references. Barreiros stands out for its quality, size (medium-large), fast entry into production and high end yields. Aimed at plantations from the 1st to the 25th of July, the plant of the Barreiros pepper is strong and it sets well, producing double-aptitude fruit for harvesting: dark green and bright red in colour.
The Head of Pepper Development, Paco Tomillero, emphasises the importance of yield and resistances on a market which, increasingly, is seeing the active materials restricted. “As it is more productive, it is more sustainable, because it uses the same inputs as other materials, and it yields more.”
Since the end of November, Bayer has been showing the variety at field days, with a view to launching it commercially next year.
This year they have an important amount of seeds planted in over fifty trials and they firmly believe that “Barreiros is going to be a market leader for its dates. The reason us that it gives more production, with quality and profitability, in addition to standing up to powdery mildew very well (a problem that is becoming increasingly relevant).”
Barreiros comes after the early variety Baquero (plantations from April to the beginning of July), with just one week´s overlap. Additionally, Bayer’s offer includes references such as Barden and SV5581PH, from the 20th-30th of July, with Barreiros covering the interim gap.
In California peppers, the most important option continues to be Arael (early, from the beginning of June to the 5th of July). “In spite of the fact that we have had a very hot summer, it continues to rise to the challenge with very good firmness, great tolerance to over-ripening and to blossom-end rot, as well as the endurance of the fruit on the plant. Arael’s quality is higher than other varieties from the segment and for this reason we expect sales to rise next year.”
