Global Plant Genetics (GPG) has announced the international launch of four new blueberry varieties from the Oregon Blueberry breeding programme: OBG-Astoria, OBG-Sirocco™, OBG-Belair™ and OBG-Raptor™.
Represented globally outside the United States and Canada by GPG, these varieties mark a significant step forward for the blueberry industry. Developed with a clear focus on fruit quality, grower efficiency, commercial performance and market appeal, the new portfolio has already shown strong progress, with commercial plantings now underway.
New genetics for a more demanding market
The launch comes at a time when the global blueberry market is demanding more from new genetics than ever before. Growers require varieties that perform reliably in the field, retailers need fruit that can travel and present well, and consumers expect size, flavour, firmness and consistency.
This new Oregon Blueberry portfolio has been selected to respond directly to those demands. Together, the four varieties offer a powerful combination of large berry size, excellent firmness, strong eating quality, efficient plant habits and targeted production windows across different chill categories.
OBG-Astoria is a high-chill, early/mid-season variety with outstanding berry size, balanced flavour and strong firmness. Positioned as a serious competitor in the premium fresh market space, OBG-Astoria offers growers a compelling new option where fruit quality, consistency and commercial reliability are essential.
OBG-Sirocco™ brings strong potential to low-to-mid chill production regions. With very large berries, exceptional firmness and a compact plant habit, it is particularly well suited to substrate and intensive production systems. Its combination of fruit quality and plant structure makes it a highly relevant variety for modern, high-efficiency blueberry production.
OBG-Belair™ is another standout low-to-mid chill selection, combining vigorous plant growth, excellent yield potential, large fruit, good flavour and impressive firmness. Selected for both productivity and quality, OBG-Belair™ gives growers a new commercial tool for regions where adaptability, yield and fresh market performance must work together.
Rethinking rabbiteye blueberries
OBG-Raptor™ is one of the most disruptive introductions in the portfolio. As a rabbiteye variety, it has been developed to challenge long-standing perceptions of the category.
Where older rabbiteye varieties were often associated with soft fruit, bland flavour, gritty texture or rain-split concerns, OBG-Raptor™ has been selected to deliver a completely different experience.
With large, uniform berries, excellent firmness, very low seed count and eating quality comparable to highbush varieties, OBG-Raptor™ has the potential to redefine what growers and markets can expect from rabbiteye genetics. It also retains the important production advantages of the category, including plant vigour, efficiency and resilience under challenging conditions.
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“These varieties represent exactly the kind of progress the blueberry industry needs,” said Jamie Petchell, Director at Global Plant Genetics. “They are not simply new names being added to the market; they are varieties with the potential to move the market forward. Each one brings a clear commercial purpose, whether that is high-chill fresh market performance, low-to-mid chill adaptability, substrate suitability, or a genuine rethinking of rabbiteye blueberries.”
Commercial plantings already underway
The portfolio has been developed to support growers in building stronger, more resilient and more profitable blueberry programmes. With commercial plantings already progressing, GPG expects the varieties to attract strong international interest from growers, nurseries and supply chain partners seeking genetics that can deliver from the outset.
“These varieties have shown amazing progress in trial and commercial evaluation,” added Petchell. “The response so far has been extremely encouraging, and we believe that they are set to make an impact from the very beginning. Our focus now is to work with the right partners in the right territories to build long-term success around these genetics.”
The international introduction of OBG-Astoria, OBG-Sirocco™, OBG-Belair™ and OBG-Raptor™ will be managed through Global Plant Genetics’ established global network. Trial and commercial opportunities will be developed on a territory-by-territory basis, subject to licensing, plant availability and market suitability.
