Bringing back the traditional flavor and quality of tomatoes has been one of the great demands of consumers for years; therefore, it has also been one of the greatest challenges for seed houses. Thus, Semillas Fitó has been developing an ambitious R&D program for a number of years, which has already yielded well-known varieties such as the Monterosa and Essentia. In the framework of this improvement program, Fitó wished to develop a specific variety for Murcia in the green top segment, which is increasingly demanded by consumers seeking quality and taste.
After years of hard work, Fitó has just presented its Carbonero variety, a green top tomato with exceptional flavor and excellent fruit quality that meets the demands of even the gourmet and haute cuisine segment. More than 100 professionals attended the presentation held in Águilas, Murcia, where the highlight was a show-cooking with the prestigious Michelin-starred chef Rubén Arnanz.
Before this showcooking, the agrobusiness consultant David del Pino outlined the market trends in the tomato sector, which accounts for 10% of the shelf space of the fruit and vegetables department in supermarkets. In this segment, practically two out of three consumers look for thick, green top tomatoes. They want a combination of flavor and tradition, and it has to be at the right point of maturation, so that the consumer always comes back for more.
For his part, Vasco Vital, commercial director for Iberia at Semillas Fitó, highlighted the effort involved in the development of a variety that is perfectly adapted to Murcia's conditions, giving producers the chance of reaching the market with a truly unique product and, therefore, with a great added value.
María del Mar García, Tomato Cultivation Specialist at Fitó for the Murcia area, highlighted that the Carbonero grows in a plant of medium / high vigor and a short internode, which adapts to cold conditions. Its fruit has an intense green top and very marked shoulders. The average size is G-GG during the whole cycle and it has an intense green color that turns into chocolatey red. It has an exceptional flavor and a great post-harvest.
Source: infoagro.com