Big, fleshy, and delicious—Malaika raspberries to hit European retail soon
Fruit producer The Summer Berry Company (TSBC) is now harvesting commercial volumes of Malaika raspberry in Portugal.
This premium variety bred by Advanced Berry Breeding (ABB) features a jumbo fruit size, a lighter red color, and exceptional shelf life, setting it up for success in retail programs across Europe and the UK.
TSBC is the first grower in Portugal to hold an ABB’s Elite Raspberry Collection Gold License, granting it the right to produce Malaika at scale and sub-license the production of this variety to interested growers in Portugal.
This licensing model prioritizes selected accessibility over exclusivity, ensuring wider availability while safeguarding quality and consistency.
The secret behind Malaika raspberries' undeniable appeal
The berry category is known to be crowded, making differentiation and reliability critical for a variety to thrive. The Malaika berry is particularly well-positioned to tackle this challenge, as it offers retailers a product that stands out both on the shelf and in the supply chain.
For starters, Malaikas enjoy what TSBC calls "Premium Appearance"—a large, uniform, and shiny look with a lighter red tone that enhances visual impact in punnets. In addition to their good looks, these berries also feature strong cold chain resilience, which the company claims reduces shrinkage and ensures that consumers receive the fruit in peak condition.
A balanced flavor profile and firm texture give Malaikas an edge, positioning them in a clear premium tier for raspberries, similar to the branding strategies that transformed apples, kiwi, and grapes.
“Malaika is a variety that truly performs for retail. Its size and appearance make it easy to market, and the shelf life gives consumers confidence in their purchase," says Jack Darnes, Commercial Director at The Summer Berry Company. "We believe it will strengthen the category as a whole.”
Good for retail, good for growers
Harvest efficiency, production timing, and post-harvest performance are the key stats driving grower profitability. In this area, Malaika also stands out among the rest.
Their large size gives the variety great visibility—the fruit is well-exposed, making it easier and faster to pick, which reduces labor costs per kilogram harvested.
With early and flexible production windows, Malaika production can begin up to three weeks earlier than other varieties, such as Kwanza, giving growers a valuable market advantage. High volumes and uniform fruit ensure predictability and easy planning with buyers, while the variety's strong post-harvest performance and consistent reliability throughout the supply chain have growers reporting no issues to date. Ultimately, this provides greater security and stronger long-term returns.
“Our breeding philosophy is about empowering growers,” said Hubert Gadret, CEO of Advanced Berry Breeding. “Malaika is not just a beautiful raspberry–it’s a practical solution that reduces costs in the field while delivering a product retailers are eager to source. It’s a win for both sides of the value chain.”
Malaikas take Europe
The first commercial harvest of Malaika in Portugal signals the beginning of wider availability across European premium retail programs.
With consumer demand for consistent, high-quality fruit at an all-time high, ABB and TSBC see Malaika as a variety that will not only grow in volume but also raise expectations across the category in the years ahead.
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