The Government of Ceará, through the Secretariat of Economic Development (SDE), has signed a memorandum of understanding with Emcocal to introduce and test new varieties of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries in the state.
The initiative will begin in the Serra da Ibiapaba region and aims to diversify and improve the quality of fruit production in Ceará. Emcocal will supply the genetics of the new berry varieties, while the state government will oversee technology transfer, monitor trials, and coordinate with local growers for potential commercial cultivation.
© Government of Ceará
Emcocal has a background in genetic improvement, particularly in strawberries. Among the new materials being evaluated are a "white strawberry" and a high-yield blueberry variety known as "Cupla."
According to Silvio Carlos Ribeiro, Executive Secretary of Agribusiness at the SDE, the first tests will be concentrated in Ibiapaba but may later expand to Cariri and other regions. "Initially, the tests will be conducted in Ibiapaba, but later we will conduct tests in Cariri and other regions because, with the range of products the company has, it allows us to test in various locations to see the adaptation of these varieties," he said. Ribeiro added that the project will include collaboration with academic and research institutions to evaluate the performance of each variety under local conditions.
The partnership was established following a government mission to Huelva, Spain, where officials observed the performance of Emcocal's varieties in commercial production. Following the visit, Emcocal expressed interest in expanding trials to Brazil's northeastern climate zones.
The memorandum formalizes the cooperation, with the expectation that the trials will provide data on productivity, adaptation, and market potential for soft fruit cultivation in Ceará.
Source: Government of Ceará / Abrafrutas
