Shikmim, Israel
June 2004
Hazera Genetics has developed a new variety of blocky
pepper, the Paganini.
The new pepper is specially designed for growth in the specific
growing conditions of the Almeria region in southern Spain.
Almeria is the largest center in the world for the growth of
greenhouse vegetables, mainly tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers,
and produce grown in the region is distributed throughout
Europe. The launch of the
Paganini therefore represents a breakthrough for
Hazera Genetics in penetrating this attractive market.
The varieties are cultivated at the company’s
research farm in Spain’s Almeria province and the aim is to
adapt vegetable varieties to the region’s unique growing
conditions. Activity is carried out by Hazera’s scientists, who
visit the research farm several times a year, often spending
long periods there.
Marketing of products in Spain is done by the
local subsidiary Hazera España, which already began experimental
distribution of the
Paganini variety in 2003. Growing results showed a
marked advantage of this variety over rival species. The
Paganini is
characterized by a fruit of exceptionally uniform shape and
bright red color, both of which attract the attention of
consumers. As a result of these clear advantages, farmers were
able to receive a higher average price throughout the season as
compared to overall prices for pepper varieties sold on the
vegetable exchange in Almeria. The majority of varieties grown
in the region and marketed in Europe are concentrated in such
exchanges.
Hovav Shor,
Products Manager at Hazera Genetics, states: “At Hazera
Genetics we are endeavoring on an ongoing basis to develop new
varieties and enter markets with high potential. The Almeria
region is one such market and the launch of the new pepper
variety represents a breakthrough for us in penetrating this
attractive market.
Shor further adds: “We are
currently cultivating and testing additional new Hazera Genetics
varieties in Spain, all with a variety of qualities designed for
adaptation to the requirements of farmers and consumers in the
European market.” |
