At Enza Zaden, in addition to quality, priority is given to the incorporation of resistances, as the slogan from one of their latest campaigns indicates: ‘Las Resistencias Marcan la Diferencia’ (Resistances Make the Difference). This heading is essential in a sector that must adapt to the new plant protection reduction requirements and the high pressure of pests that is blighting the fields. In the case of Enza Zaden and its pepper line, a large part of its efforts is concentrated on incorporating resistance to powdery mildew (Lt) in its new generation of varieties. Its star range, Tribelli, incorporates it in all the launches, both mini and XL, M.ª Carmen Manjón, Sales Manager, explains.
This resistance encourages production in complicated months, allowing more production months to be covered in early cycle and this is particularly important in ecological crops, where no treatments may be applied. “In the last campaign, we had clients who were already producing 12 months a year, also with XL varieties of Tribelli, in slightly higher regions for summer dates (February-March transplanting).
For ecological production, they have mini Tribelli varieties using the Vitalis brand, and they are working to incorporate new XL materials.
The Tribelli® family continues to grow. It makes up the most extensive portfolio of sweet conical peppers on the market, with resistant varieties adapted to calibres, colours and production dates, offering the differentiation that the market seeks.
“We continue with the same clients, programmes and suppliers, and new ones are being incorporated. We have different varieties for each colour and plantation date in mini, and in XL we are working to develop new materials.”
Tribelli consumption remains stable
In this campaign, the energy crisis and fear of product shortages in northern Europe have caused a “funny feeling” in the agricultural sector. In November, there was an accumulation of produce because Holland continued producing and in Spain production was brought forward due to high temperatures. Subsequently, different factors, such as uncertainty about supply (due to the drop in winter production in Holland), the feeling of inflationary crisis and the increase in labour costs, led farmers to take a more conservative approach and opt for products with volume, commodity or bulk, sometimes at the expense of specialities. The good prices of the commodities have been a point in favour for this trend.
However, even at difficult socio-economic moments, consumers continue to value products that offer differentiation. In fact, there are specialities that remain stable, such as Tribelli, easyQs and Tomazur. “There are always consumers for this niche. The three lines are evolving very well and are reaching good prices. In the end, working with programmes on these lines offers greater profitability and stability in prices over time and allows forecasts to be made and planning to be improved.”
In the particular case of the pepper category, Manjón affirms that several supermarkets have incorporated Tribelli to their shelves in Holland, added to other chains in the United Kingdom and Germany. One of the formats that is growing most is the Family Pack of Tribelli XL (400-500 g).
Enza Zaden will have a stand at Fruit Logistica (Hall 11.2, B03), with Tribelli and easyQs as their stars.
