Naturipe Farms and Hortifrut partner up with Mountain Blue Orchards to expand premium berry access
Naturipe Farms and Hortifrut are expanding their comprehensive berry genetics platform through a new strategic collaboration with Mountain Blue Orchards (MBO).
The deal builds on the companies’ proprietary breeding program, broadens access to elite blueberry genetics, and reinforces a long-term innovation strategy spanning blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
“This collaboration allows us to continue introducing elite varietals that deliver outstanding flavor, resilience, and performance while meeting the evolving needs of retailers and consumers across the world,” said Héctor Luján, CEO of Hortifrut.
More and better access to premium berry genetics
In a press release announcing the alliance, the companies explained that the agreement strengthens an already highly integrated genetics platform that combines access to advanced external selections with Hortifrut’s proprietary breeding, evaluation and commercialization capabilities.
“This agreement is the natural extension of a long-standing partnership,” said Mano Babiolakis, International Business Manager at MBO. “We look forward to continuing to expand Hortifrut’s portfolio with MBO’s elite genetics, which together with the company’s global scale, will deliver better fruit for growers, retailers and consumers.”
This model creates a broader pipeline of varieties designed to perform across diverse growing regions while delivering the flavor, quality, consistency, and shelf life expected by growers, retailers, and consumers.
As part of the expanded initiative, Hortifrut will gain access to new elite blueberry selections for the United States, Mexico, Peru, and other Latin American countries.
Hortifrut bets on innovation
Hortifrut’s Rubus program is also translating proprietary genetics into recognized performance in the marketplace.
At the 2026 National Cherry and Soft Fruit Show in the United Kingdom, Hortifrut’s Vicentina raspberry variety, grown and presented by Kelsey Farms, took first place in the Non-UK Bred Raspberry Variety class. In keeping with the show’s longstanding tradition, samples of the award-winning fruit were sent to Buckingham Palace on July 24.
“Innovation is about giving every part of the supply chain something better,” said Jim Roberts, President of Naturipe Farms. “This work, together with our industry-leading domestic breeding programs and global marketing efforts, is helping bring the next generation of premium berries to market faster.”
Through Naturipe’s global marketing platform, these innovations move from breeding programs to retailers more efficiently, helping introduce new berry varieties that meet growing expectations for flavor, quality, consistency and shelf life.
*All images courtesy of Hortifrut and Naturipe Farms.
Related stories
Hortifrut Genetics launches gemstone-inspired brand strategy at Fruit Logistica
Naturipe Farms delivers record volumes of premium blueberries as consumer demand surges
Subscribe to our newsletter
