The operation strengthens Fall Creek’s genetics platform with the addition of new berry categories, while maintaining its global leadership in blueberries. With this acquisition, the company expands its ability to serve growers operating across several categories within the berry segment.
“For nearly 50 years, Fall Creek has built its business alongside the blueberry industry: sharing fields, customers and the belief that better genetics create better growers. Expanding into raspberries and blackberries was never a question of if, but when,” said Marc de Beer, manager of Fall Creek.
According to De Beer, growers and retailers increasingly need a trusted partner that can cover several berry categories, not just one. “We have spent years developing the teams, breeding programmes and commercial infrastructure needed to respond to that demand.”
Berryplant, more than three decades in raspberries and blackberries
Berryplant is a family-owned company based in Baselga di Piné, in the Italian region of Trentino, with more than three decades of experience in the propagation of raspberries and blackberries.
The company has raspberry varieties with proven commercial performance, including Amalia, Clarita, Optima, Shani and Eros, as well as blackberry varieties, including the Loch series.
Its sister company, Berrytech, founded in 2019, manages the group’s breeding programme and intellectual property portfolio. To date, Berrytech holds ten Plant Breeders’ Rights titles for raspberry and blackberry varieties.
Berryplant is also one of only four certified centres for pre-basic material for raspberries and blackberries in Europe. Its founders, Marilena Grisenti and Ilario Ioriatti, were pioneers in Europe in launching a private raspberry and blackberry breeding programme.
A platform with greater international reach
In recent years, Berryplant and Berrytech have expanded their international presence, supplying plants and genetic material to customers around the world.
“We are proud to join Fall Creek, sharing a common commitment to genetics, plant quality and grower relationships,” said Diego Ioriatti, R&D director and co-owner of Berryplant and Berrytech.
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According to Ioriatti, this alliance will make it possible to bring top-level raspberry and blackberry genetics to more growers and, ultimately, help bring better fruit to more tables.
Operational continuity during integration
Fall Creek has indicated that, in the short term, Berryplant and Berrytech will continue operating as usual in order to ensure continuity for both employees and customers while integration planning moves forward.
The combined organisation will bring together complementary expertise in breeding, plant production and international market development across different berry categories.
With this acquisition, Fall Creek takes a strategic step beyond blueberries and reinforces its position as a global supplier of genetics and plants for a berry sector that is increasingly diversified and focused on varietal innovation.
