¿What is the future of early blueberry varieties? This will be one of the key questions addressed by Roger Horak, founder and executive chairman of United Exports, the company that has led the global expansion of OZblu, during his presentation at the 2nd International Course on Blueberry Production, organized by CASM Blueberries.
The event will take place from March 17 to 19, 2026, in Lima, Peru, and will include two technical sessions at the Sheraton Lima Hotel, as well as a Field Day at Qali Fruit, a subsidiary of Agrícola Cerro Prieto.
Main Early Varieties Worldwide
According to Horak, the main early varieties currently produced worldwide include Biloxi and Ventura, which still maintain a significant presence. Varieties such as Snowchaser, belonging to earlier generations, are also among them.
More recently, the following stand out:
- Genetics developed in Florida, with programs strongly focused on early production.
- The Costa varieties from Australia.
- The Mountain Blue program (Australia).
- The OZblu program, with a strong emphasis on earliness.
- Hortifrut’s breeding programs, including those originating from Atlantic Blue.
- The Sekoya® program by Fall Creek Farm & Nursery®, considered one of the most relevant today.
Most of these varieties belong to the Southern Highbush group, characterized by low chill requirements, adaptation to warm climates, very early flowering, and early production that allows growers to extend the marketing window.
According to the executive, these varieties are mainly grown in warm regions, generally close to the equator in both hemispheres.
In the Northern Hemisphere, key early-production regions include Mexico; Southern California and Florida (U.S.); Morocco; southern Spain and Portugal; Egypt, which has seen strong growth; and Yunnan Province in China. In Australia, early production is concentrated in Queensland (east coast) and north of Perth (west coast).
In the Southern Hemisphere, Peru stands out as the leading producer in this category, along with other Latin American countries, as well as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia.
Genetic Evolution: More Flavor, Firmness, and Adaptability
Regarding the recent evolution of early genetics, Horak emphasized that the main advances are moving toward lower chill requirements, greater adaptation to warm climates, significant improvements in flavor and fruit size, and increased firmness. “Flavor has been one of the most significant advances in recent years,” he stressed.
Compared to the first generations of Southern Highbush, the new selections show:
- Larger fruit size.
- Better flavor.
- Greater firmness.
- Improved adaptation to low-chill environments.
- Greater ability to extend the season.
Climate Change: The Major Challenge for Early Varieties
limate change has created new challenges for blueberry growers around the world. In this regard, Horak noted that one of the greatest challenges is the growing period.
“To produce very early — for example, in autumn, which is how OZblu defines earliness — the plant must develop during the summer,” he explained.
This means that varieties must be able to withstand high temperatures, tolerate heat stress, and grow actively under intense heat conditions.
According to Horak, “In Australia, for example, some varieties must develop in summers that exceed 40°C, which represents a significant technical challenge for breeding programs.”
Early genetics, Horak concluded, not only aims to bring harvests forward but also to ensure production stability and quality under increasingly demanding climate scenarios.
Roger Horak will be one of the speakers at the 2nd International Course on Blueberry Production¡Secure your spot at one of the most important events in the industry!
To purchase your ticket, contact:
Agustina Martínez: +569 7934 1964
amartinez@casmblueberries.com
