New berry plant propagation project begins in Morocco
The partnership between Chilean Grupo Hijuelas, active in plant propagation, genetics, and plant production for six decades, and Morocco’s Les Domaines Agricoles, whose El Bassatine laboratory has conducted in vitro culture since 1984, has resulted in Frutivar. The project is developing infrastructure and local production, and its first berry plants have been established with Moroccan growers.
Frutivar combines Grupo Hijuelas’ nursery and technology expertise with Les Domaines Agricoles’ in vitro production, agricultural, and commercial capabilities.
The initiative aims to establish plant production capacity in Morocco, providing growers with access to new genetics and technical expertise through production models intended to support the country’s fruit industry.
Two sources of expertise
Grupo Hijuelas has experience in plant propagation and production, with operations connecting genetics, technology, and crop development in markets including Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, the United States, and France.
Les Domaines Agricoles operates across several agricultural sectors and exports fruit and vegetables to more than 40 countries. The group also produces fruit plants through its nurseries and El Bassatine laboratory.
Founded in 1984 to help restore Moroccan palm groves affected by Bayoud disease, El Bassatine works with the micropropagation of date palm, banana, rosaceae, and cactus. This expertise is being combined with Grupo Hijuelas’ genetic programs and propagation activities through Frutivar.
Frutivar’s first berry plants are already in Morocco
Frutivar’s initial activities focus on berries. Plant material has been shipped from Chile and subsequently rooted at Frutivar. The first plants have already been delivered to and established with Moroccan growers.
According to Remo Nasi, Head of Grupo Hijuelas for the EMEA region, “Grupo Hijuelas’ capacity for development and partnership demonstrates the value placed globally on its experience and the proven results it has delivered over the years.”
“In vitro culture is a business we have been running for forty years on the Kingdom’s strategic crops. Frutivar opens it to new species, with a partner that brings access to international genetic programmes and proven industrial scale,” added Badr Bennis, Deputy CEO of Les Domaines Agricoles.
The first international partnerships are signed
MBO, OZblu, and Hortifrut have signed partnerships with Frutivar, giving Moroccan growers access to their variety programs.
Frutivar is also adding genetics to its portfolio to expand the alternatives available to growers and support diversification of Morocco’s fruit industry. Teams from both partners are conducting an ongoing training and technical exchange program.
Grupo Hijuelas and Les Domaines Agricoles intend to use Morocco as a base for the project’s development across the region.
Representatives of both groups will attend Fruit Attraction in Madrid from 6 to 8 October to discuss Frutivar with growers, exporters, and other industry stakeholders.
For more information:
Kenza Ouali
Les Domaines Agricoles
Email: kouali@domaines.co.ma
www.lesdomainesagricoles.com
