WINDSOR is a mini plum tomato bred to change the rules of modern tomato production. Combining labour-saving characteristics, reduced food waste, and resistance to ToBRFV and Pf, WINDSOR addresses some of the most pressing challenges growers face today.
With its uniform fruit size, WINDSOR is easy to manage throughout cultivation, harvest, and packing. This results in fewer handling steps, reduced labour input and a more efficient production flow. It also maintains outstanding crunchiness well after harvest.
WINDSOR’s strong fruit quality supports a reduction in food waste across the supply chain. Consistent mini plum fruits and reliable resistance help maintain quality from the greenhouse to the market, minimising losses and improving overall sustainability.
With its combination of efficiency, resistance and waste reduction, WINDSOR stands out as a true Gamechanger in the mini plum segment.
Hazera’s global approach towards the ToBRFV virus: local teams and growers the key to success
Posted on Apr 27, 2023
Hazera’s global approach towards the ToBRFV virus: local teams and growers the key to success
Recently, Hazera successfully launched tomato varieties for the Mexican market that are resistant to the ToBRFV-virus. But the virus extends much further than just Mexcio, as it affects growers worldwide. We take a look at the broader picture with Alejandro Szechtman, Portfolio marketing director of Tomato’s at Hazera. He talks us through Hazera’s worldwide approach towards the ToBRFV virus, the development of resistant tomato varieties and perspectives for the future. “We have a quality-first policy: a variety is only launched if we are sure it performs well both in resistance as in product quality.”
As portfolio marketing director of tomato’s, Alejandro knows that each market around the world has it’s own issues. In case of the ToBRFV virus, this is no different. So how do you come to understand a virus that provides growers in different areas with different challenges? Alejandro: “We have a very close relationship with our growers, but also retailers and consumers, in each market. This allows us to understand their needs and problems. When ToBRFV hit, we quickly understood it would be a major problem for our growers.” As part of the Limagrain Group, Hazera started to invest in and develop what the growers needed to fight the virus: Tomato varieties that provide good resistance to the virus, but also excellent economic performance.
Common efforts According to Alejandro, the close collaboration between local teams and the globally working marketing team is vital in developing these resistant varieties. “It’s a common effort between different disciplines within the company. We have R&D which includes breeders and genetics developing the products, the marketing department delivering these products to the markets and the local product development teams who test the varieties in each market. They have the best knowledge of their own market and the challenges that come with it”. The marketing division oversees the global view, and forms the bridge between all different functions. By collecting all data from local teams, the marketing division is able to decide which varieties are ready to be launched commercially.
The process towards this commercial launch is very thorough and all-embracing. “It’s a constant process”, says Alejandro. “We look at the challenges growers are facing now, but also at the ones they will face in the future”. So what does this look like on a daily basis? “trials, trials and more trials. The process of developing a new variety takes several years. We make a massive effort to conform each variety to the market it is destined for. The goal is always the same: big, round and red tomato’s that aren’t affected by the virus. But different conditions take different solutions to get to the same goal.” Alejandro emphasizes that this process would not be possible without working very closely with local growers.
Launches in different markets Globally, Hazera has been seeing more and more results of commercially launched varieties with ToBRFV-resistance. “Recently, we had a successful launch of the Canelo-variety in Mexico”, says Alejandro. “We started working on that variety from scratch in 2015. This variety was ready for commercialization in 7 years, which is quite an efficient process.” But Mexico isn’t the only success story. Alejandro: “ We have already launched ToBRFV-resistant varieties in Italy, with Spain and Greece following soon. We are developing and launching additional varieties and typologies for various markets, always looking for the aspects that make our variety perform well both economically and in resistance. The competition isn’t always able to provide both, but for us they are the benchmark for releasing a new variety.”
Always working on the future Last, Alejandro talks about Hazera’s future-oriented policy. “We continuously monitor the situations and developments in every market, so we can be ready to provide our customers with solutions when facing new situations. Wherever needed, whenever needed. We feel confident that we can provide our growers and customers with the solutions that are needed for the challenges in their specific market. Because we work closely with them, know what’s going on both locally and globally, and we’re constantly developing and testing new varieties. Like I always say; at Hazera we don’t provide varieties, we provide solutions.”
Meet us at the Global tomato congress in Rotterdam! We are happy to meet you.
Hazera announces varieties with intermediate resistance (IR) to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) in pipeline
Hazera is proud to announce the launch of our ToBRFV intermediate resistant varieties- the optimal balance between protection and performance– providing the grower an effective tool to face the highly infectious virus, infecting tomato plants, fruit and affecting growers worldwide. The Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus poses a constant threat to growers worldwide, significantly reducing yields, affecting the quality of fruit, and systematically infecting other plants, as it is a very transmittable virus that can infect through soil, tools, water, and people’s contact.
Since ToBRFV hit, Hazera’s R&D team has been working tirelessly to find varieties capable of giving an effective level of ToBRFV resistance without compromising the yield and fruit quality we’ve invested years to perfect. Over the course of several years, Hazera researchers and agronomists invested endless resources to find solutions to address our growers’ needs worldwide. Moreover, according to Alejandro Szechtman, Hazera’s Portfolio Marketing Director, “These efforts included in-depth trials in many locations, under different conditions in a global scale, to confirm that we are able to provide the optimal solutions, with the right balance between performance and ToBRFV protection”.
Hazera is proud to announce a wide ToBRFV resistant variety pipeline worldwide, with which we will be able to tailor-make the optimal solution per market requirement, beginning with Italy, Greece, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, Israel etc’.
Hazera, through Limagrain’s upstream research, contributed to a network of internal and external collaborative discovery projects on ToBRFV using different approaches. This resulted in Limagrain being the first company to file a patent on ToBRFV resistance in tomato in 2017. While the first generation of tomato hybrids resistant to ToBRFV is being commercialized, Limagrain discovery programs continue to work intensively to find resistances against potential emergent more aggressive forms of this devastating virus.
“Our R&D efforts haven’t ended, we’re still investing to achieve higher resistance, and expand our portfolio to the benefit of growers worldwide,” said Szechtman.
Hazera is a global leader in the seed industry. Hazera has headquarters in both the Netherlands and Israel. We operate subsidiaries in 11 countries, together with a distribution network serving over 130 markets. Our partners operate in all kinds of climates, and under diverse growing conditions and market requirements. For over a century, our top priority has been walking alongside them, developing an enormous variety of seeds and providing comprehensive support every step of the way. Hazera’s team of experts works directly with growers to evaluate their needs, assist during variety selection and provide guidance and support throughout the crop cycle.
Hazera is part of the Limagrain Group, an international agri-business based in France. Being a farmers’ cooperative, the Limagrain Group understands the needs of its customers and has grown to become the largest seed company in Europe, specialising in vegetables, field crops and cereal products. Limagrain’s vegetable seed division is the second largest company in the industry.
by Dr. Yaniv Rotem – Solanaceae Pathologist, Hazera
General background
The Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus – ToBRFV – is a relatively new viral disease, first appearing in the Middle East in 2014. The disease has since spread rapidly to many other areas in the world, and currently constitutes a major global problem in tomato crop production worldwide.
In Israel, all tomato production areas have been severely affected by ToBRFV, and the effects of the disease are evident both in the tomato greenhouses and fields, and in the quality and appearance of the fruits which are sold.
Symptoms of the disease
As a rule, the symptoms of the disease are similar to the typical symptoms of ToMV, but the severity of the symptoms can differ from that known with ToMV:
In the leaves – a mosaic appears, which is particularly noticeable on young leaves and at the growth vertices. In some cases, there is narrowing of the leaflet blade, and in certain cases the leaves become entirely threadlike (“shoestrings”).
In the fruit – yellow spots develop which become necrotic at a later stage. In some cases, “chocolate spots” appear on the fruit. In cases of severe damage, the fruit becomes wrinkled and distorted. The virus name (“Brown Rugose Fruit”) was given due to the wrinkled appearance together with the brown spots.
Note that in contrast to the characteristic situation when affected by ToMV, in which symptoms generally appear in the fruit only in cases of particularly severe damage to the foliage, in the case of ToBRFV – there is no connection between the severity of damage to the fruit and severity of damage to the foliage: there are situations in which serious damage to the fruit is observed while no symptoms appear on the leaves, or vice versa – cases of severe symptoms in the foliage and lack of symptoms in the fruit.
In certain cases – necrosis develops of the calyx of the fruit, the fruit peduncle, and the central spine of the cluster of fruit.
When a susceptible variety is infected with ToBRFV, the main damage is a significant weakening of the plant and its capability to produce clusters of fruits over a long season.
In the wake of the viral infection, tomato cultivation in Israel has changed entirely: due to the weakening of the plants, growers currently have almost no possibility to grow tomatoes in a long central season of 9-10 months as was customary before the virus’s appearance; instead, shorter growing seasons of 4-5 months are now customary, intended for harvesting a few clusters only.
Symptoms on leaves – severe mosaic and narrowing of some of the leaf lobes, to the point of appearing “thready”
Symptoms in the fruits
Symptoms of necrosis in the calyx, fruit peduncle and the spine of the cluster
Weakening of the plant as a result of viral infection in a susceptible variety (on right) compared to a variety that is largely similar to it but is resistant to the virus (on left).
How is the disease transmitted?
ToBRFV is very easily transmitted mechanically – by human contact, by work tools, support wires, or any entity that comes in physical contact with an infected plant or soil that contains the virus and later comes in contact with healthy plants. It is important to remember that particles of this virus are particularly resistant to environmental conditions, and are capable of surviving for long periods in soil or on infected surfaces.
Since the virus is capable of surviving in soil for a long period – the virus is also transferred with infected soil that is moved from one place to another (by sticking to shoes, to work tools that are moved from one plot to another, etc.).
The virus is transmitted in seeds – a seed produced from an infected plant is likely to carry virus particles on its surface.
The virus can also be transmitted by bumble bees, which serve to pollinate during the cultivation process.
Prevention and treatment
Since the outbreak of the disease, Hazera together with Limagrain Group have been working on a comprehensive study of the issue, in which tomato varieties with intermediate levels of resistance to the virus were developed. The first patent in the world for resistance to ToBRFV was registered by Limagrain in 2017. Using these varieties provides an optimal solution for growing tomatoes in conditions of infections with ToBRFV, while maintaining the varieties performance.
Observing phytosanitary rules is key to preventing the disease:
Making sure to have clean clothes, jackets and gloves for those entering the greenhouses.
Making sure to sterilize all equipment used.
Sterilizing shoes in an immersion pit upon entrance to the greenhouse.
Being strict about the order in which buildings are entered – the workday begins with the buildings housing the young, healthy plants and continues to the buildings housing the more mature plants.
Plants in which infection is discovered should be immediately removed from the greenhouse, being careful to avoid contact with neighboring plants.
Using healthy seeds and seedlings is another key to preventing the disease. Hazera is strict about performing health tests in licensed laboratories, according to international standards and the Plant Protection Services. Checking that seeds are free of ToBRFV is done by the ISHI Protocol, which is the international protocol accepted throughout the world.
Being strict about good sanitization – sterilizing the soil or growth medium and the greenhouse space when cultivation is completed.
In European supermarkets, the sales of snack tomatoes are increasing rapidly by approx. 20% per year. In The Netherlands, snack tomatoes have a market share of nearly 38%.
“At Hazera we are constantly looking for solutions to tackle the challenges of the supply chain”, says Produce Chain and Business Development Manager, Arjan van Steekelenburg. “We are looking at what’s lacking in the market in order to jump into that space”.
Interview with Arjan van Steekelenburg (Chain Manager at Hazera)
“Consumer demands to reduce plastics have become louder over the years. People are now more aware of sustainable packaging and retail chains want to adapt to this consumer trend,” says Arjan van Steekelenburg.“On the other hand, the retail companies want to present their product as a brand and highlight the special characteristics of the premium product they sell.”In 2021, Hazera launched its new tomato variety Sensera.It is an aromatic, deep red tomato with a good sugar to acid ratio.But the special thing about the fruit is its quality.Arjan: “The green plant parts of Sensera are thick and stand high above the ovary. They have a fresh appearance and keep their fresh green color for over two weeks. This gives Sensera a fresh appearance over a long period of time.”
In 2021, Hazera launched its new tomato variety Sensera.It is an aromatic, deep red tomato with a good sugar to acid ratio.But the special thing about the fruit is its quality.Arjan: “The green plant parts of Sensera are thick and stand high above the ovary. They have a fresh appearance and keep their fresh green color for over two weeks. This gives Sensera a fresh appearance over a long period of time.”
One of the simplest solutions to the packaging problem is to sell loose tomatoes. But that’s not an attractive option for retailers, as Arjan explains. Aside from that, the loose segment gets messy as customers might only get one or two tomatoes out of the boxpackaging, it is perceived as cheap and it deprives retailers and producers of the opportunity to brand their product with their own name and offer additional information to their customers.
Hazera has managed to combine both elements – sustainability and branding – in one packaging solution: a banderole that saves more than 70% plastic compared to normal flow-pack packaging with a top seal.The panicle holds itself together and functions like a natural grip.This is an ideal solution as the Sensera variety is characterized by extra strong green parts.The banderole itself offers the opportunity to convey a chain, a shop, a manufacturing company or the values of a brand to consumers at the point of sale and in the kitchen.
The strong green parts of this new strain were not Hazera’s original goal.“We didn’t notice this ‘natural feel’ until we started promoting them commercially. But this particular quality fits perfectly with our sustainability goals in terms of packaging. And then there were the added benefits of longer-lasting freshness, of tasteand the visual appeal, which are of course nice extras.”
Hazera isn’t quite finished with the new banderole yet.“We are still looking for the right material and the right method to attach the banderole to the bunch. That’s why we are asking partners to help develop this packaging concept into a paper-based product in order to reduce plastic even further. Together we willbe able to fully develop this “packaging of the future”.
For more information Michal Taraska
Global Value Chain Lead
Mobil: +48 535 215 365
E-Mail: michal.taraska@hazera.com
The perfect snack tomatoes? It’s all about adjusting the timing!
Posted on Feb 01, 2022
An interview with: Arjan van Steekelenburg, Produce Chain Manager / Trade and Retail Account Manager Juan Jeronimo Montes, Product Development Specialist, Hazera España
Adults and children everywhere are opting more and more for new varieties of fresh produce that don’t require any special effort or preparation. In response to this global trend in healthy veggie snacking, Hazera, a global leader in the seed industry and tomatoes in particular, has developed the Camelot Tomato—a real “Tada” product that changes the game for the whole supply chain.
The Camelot is just like the legendary castle it was named after, a place of harmony and a stronghold. Its unique taste, flawless appearance, sweetness, and extraordinarily long shelf life make it worthy of its noble title.
For about 15 years, growers have been harvesting tomatoes while still green, and letting them ripen and redden during transportation. In this case, however, Arjan van Steekelenburg explained to us that: “Unlike most tomatoes of this kind, the Camelot should not be harvested too early. In order for it to reach full potential, growers must let it ripen on the vine, and pick it only once it has reached its unique shade of red. Nobody can manage the ripening process better than the plant itself. You just need to get the timing right for great results. From the moment the tomatoes are harvested, as they move along the entire supply chain and up to the consumer’s table… or often lunchbox nowadays, they will keep fresh and tasty for up to 20 days.”
And that is an amazing figure by any standards. Growers will fully reap the benefits once they make this shift in their minds. Not only them, but the entire supply chain will be optimized, because from the time they get on the retail shelf, Camelot tomatoes still have between 7-12 days of freshness left. As consumers, we can buy a larger weekly supply for our homes, knowing that if not on this weekend, we can still enjoy them the next one. Chances of that are slim though, because after tasting them, we don’t think anyone can resist eating them for so many days:)
The best part is that everyone gets to benefit from these advantages: growers, distributors, retailers, grocery shoppers, and whoever else consumes food at home.
Juan Jeronimo MONTES says: “We believe Camelot tomatoes represent a revolution in the sector for other reasons too. Even in regions with varying climates like Morocco and Spain, they can be grown and harvested all year round, throughout the seasons. These are highly productive plants that make for very profitable business, while consumers get more value for their money. Our team works closely with growers and distributors in these countries, providing advice, technical support, and assistance, regardless of location, growing method, or external conditions.”
Growers are tempted out of habit to harvest tomatoes green. These pictures illustrate how the fruit develops within 17 days, depending on the stage it was at when harvested:
Day 1 (Harvest)
Too Early | Right on Time | Too Late
Day 17
Too Early | Right on Time | Too Late
It is clear that when Camelot tomatoes are harvested at the right time, red and ripe as shown on the middle column, they remain fresh and with great taste, brix, and no cracking on day 17!
Who stands behind the Camelot tomato?
Hazera, part of the French Limagrain Group, has decades of experience with state-of-the-art technology in breeding, developing, producing and marketing varieties and seeds in a wide range of vegetable crops around the world.
The company is headquartered in Israel and The Netherlands, with subsidiaries in twelve countries, and an extensive distribution and technical support network serving over 100 additional markets. This enables the team to anticipate and respond to local needs by creating varieties that fit specific climates, growing conditions, and market requirements.
Hazera’s Official Training Video: Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV)
Posted on Aug 30, 2021
We are happy to present Hazera’s training video and sanitation guide for dealing with the new ToBRFV virus.
The purpose of this video is to assist growers and farmers to gain a better understanding of the ToBRFV virus, and to share some practical advice and active measures for eradicating the growth of this virus through the use of stringent hygiene and highly effective sanitation. (more…)
