Global Plant Genetics launches four new Oregon Blueberry varieties 

Global Plant Genetics (GPG) is introducing four new Oregon Blueberry selections globally outside the United States and Canada: OBG-Astoria, OBG-Sirocco™, OBG-Belair™ and OBG-Raptor™.

Developed with a clear focus on fruit quality, grower efficiency, commercial performance and market appeal, the new portfolio has already demonstrated remarkable progress and is set to make waves.

“The launch comes at a time when the global blueberry market is demanding more from new genetics than ever before,” said the company in a statement. “Growers require varieties that perform reliably in the field, retailers need fruit that can travel and present well, and consumers expect size, flavor, firmness and consistency. This new Oregon Blueberry portfolio has been selected to respond directly to those demands.”

Together, the GPG says, the four varieties offer large sizes, 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 flavor, and strong firmness. Positioned as a serious competitor in the premium fresh market space, the company explains that OBG-Astoria offers growers a compelling new option where fruit quality, consistency, and commercial reliability are essential.

OBG-Sirocco brings exciting potential to low-to-mid chill production regions, GPG said. 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,” the press release read. 

OBG-Belair is another standout low-to-mid chill selection, the firm notes, combining vigorous plant growth, excellent yield potential, large fruit, good flavor, 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, GPG said.

“OBG-Raptor is perhaps one of the most disruptive introductions in the portfolio,” the firm added. “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 flavor, 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, GPG said OBG-Raptor has the potential to redefine what growers and markets can expect from rabbiteye genetics. 

“These varieties represent exactly the kind of progress the blueberry industry needs,” said GPG Director Jamie Petchell. “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.”

GPG presents a lineup featuring superior genetics

The portfolio has been developed to support growers in building stronger, more resilient, and more profitable blueberry programs. 

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.

*All images courtesy of GPG. 

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