SIVAL 2026 confirmed its role as a key event for French arboriculture. For Dalival/IFO, this year's edition was a highlight in more ways than one: high attendance at the booth, quality of discussions with sector professionals, recognition of varietal innovation and a symbolic moment for the company.
© DALIVAL IFO
Strong support from the arboricultural sector
Dalival/IFO teams were on hand in the Ardesia hall throughout the event to welcome a large number of arboriculturists, technicians and partners from all over France, as well as members of the international delegation. Discussions focused in particular on the choice of varieties, adaptation to climate change, new phytosanitary issues, the technical and economic performance of orchards and the expectations of the fresh and processing markets.
© DALIVAL IFO
Varieties, tastings and technical discussions
The event was the opportunity for Dalival/IFO to present and offer tastings of a wide range of apple and pear varieties, illustrating the company's expertise in varietal selection, evaluation and distribution. These discussions, led by the entire sales and technical team, provided an opportunity to talk in very concrete terms about performance in the orchard, taste quality and market outlets.
Two major awards at SIVAL Innovation 2026
SIVAL 2026 also saw strong recognition for varietal innovation, with two major awards given to varieties developed by Dalival/IFO.
© DALIVAL IFO
KIARA® (Cepora COV) - SIVAL Innovation - Gold Medal:
Developed by INRAE and launched by CEP Innovation (the world's exclusive publisher of INRAE fruit varieties and rootstocks, with which Dalival and IFO are associated), KIARA® stands out for its excellent taste, its high tolerance to fire blight and its dual market potential (both fresh and processing). A variety designed to meet today's production challenges, without compromising on taste.
© DALIVAL IFO
STELLAR™ 'Hot81A1' - SIVAL Innovation - Silver Medal:
Stemming from the Hot Climate Partnership (HCP) program, whose plant material Dalival distributes worldwide, STELLAR™ is specially selected to perform in hot or warm growing conditions, where traditional varieties are encountering more difficulties. While high summer temperatures can compromise coloration, cause heat stress and lead to crop losses, STELLAR™ offers attractive, even and stable coloration without epidermal burn or internal damage, ensuring growers a more reliable early season harvest in demanding climates. Harvested around 7-10 days before Gala, STELLAR™ combines early maturity with excellent taste quality, no known susceptibility to major diseases or pests, and consistent performance in the orchard. These characteristics make it a valuable option for warm production regions, allowing growers to bring forward harvest and marketing periods while preserving quality, yields and profitability in the face of increasing climatic pressure.
These awards recognize years of experimentation in the field and collaboration between breeders, nurserymen and players of the sector.
© DALIVAL IFO
A SIVAL full of emotion and transmission
Finally, this 2026 edition had a very special dimension for Dalival/IFO. It marked the last SIVAL for Bruno Essner and Thierry Ligonnière, managers who have been committed to the fruit sector and varietal innovation for over 40 years. It was a convivial and emotional moment, shared with many partners and colleagues, to salute their career, their vision and their commitment to the fruit sector. Through its participation in SIVAL 2026, Dalival/IFO, invested in the future of arboriculture, is reaffirming its commitment to:
- high-performance, sustainable arboriculture,
- resilient varieties adapted to local conditions and markets,
- and collective work with all players in the sector.
For more information:
Fiona Davidson
Dalival
Phone: +33(0)3 23 96 56 50
[email protected]
www.dalival.com
