In March 2026, Advanced Berry Breeding (ABB) welcomed a group of growers from Mexico and across the Americas to Spain and Portugal for the Scout & Pick Iberia Field Tour—a two-day experience designed to connect raspberry genetics with real-world production environments.
The tour took place on March 11 and 12 and brought together growers, technical experts, and industry professionals to explore how ABB raspberry varieties perform under commercial growing conditions in Southern Europe. By visiting leading farms and engaging directly in the field, participants gained valuable insights into plant behavior, yield performance, and management practices.
“Bringing growers into the field to experience our genetics in real production environments is essential. It allows them to see not just the potential of our varieties, but how they perform under real conditions and management practices.”
From Genetics to Field Performance
At ABB, we believe that the true value of raspberry genetics can only be fully understood when seen in the field. The Iberia Field Tour provided exactly that opportunity.
Participants visited multiple production sites across Spain and Portugal, where they observed firsthand how different raspberry varieties respond to varying climatic conditions, cultivation systems, and grower practices. These visits allowed for open discussion around key production factors such as:
- Plant vigor and structure
- Fruit quality and consistency
- Yield potential across environments
- Crop management strategies
- Adaptability to different growing regions
In several locations, growers observed differences in plant vigor and fruit consistency under varying tunnel conditions, sparking discussions around how management strategies influence performance across climates.
Seeing varieties in production—rather than in theory—enabled growers to better evaluate how these genetics could fit within their own operations.
Farm Visits Across Spain and Portugal
The tour included visits to several leading berry production companies in the Iberian region, who generously opened their fields and shared their expertise.
Participants had the opportunity to walk through production sites, assess plant performance, and engage directly with growers and technical teams on-site. These interactions provided valuable context on how different management approaches influence outcomes in the field.
“Each region presents its own challenges and seeing how these varieties perform across different environments is key. It also allows for valuable technical discussions on how to optimize performance under varying conditions.”
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the following companies for their collaboration and hospitality:
- Onubafruit
- Rafa Polichero Farm
- Fran y Lolo SL
- First Fruit Lda
- The Summer Berry Company Portugal
Their willingness to host and engage in open discussions contributed significantly to the success of this tour.
Participation from Mexico and the Americas
The group of attendees represented a diverse mix of growers and industry professionals from Mexico and the broader Americas region. Their participation reflects the growing interest in understanding how European production systems and advanced raspberry genetics can be adapted to different global contexts.
Spain and Portugal offer production conditions that closely resemble key raspberry-growing regions in Mexico, providing growers with a realistic benchmark to assess how these varieties could perform in their own environments.
This relevance was a key driver behind the tour, allowing participants to evaluate varietal performance under conditions that are directly applicable to their own production realities.
By bringing together growers from different regions, the tour fostered a broader perspective on raspberry production—highlighting both regional differences and shared challenges across the industry.
“For many of the growers, this was an opportunity to truly connect what they see in trials or presentations with what happens in commercial production. Seeing the varieties in the field creates a much deeper understanding and confidence.”
Valuable Exchange Between Growers and Experts
One of the most impactful aspects of the tour was the level of engagement and dialogue among participants.
Throughout the visits, growers shared their own experiences, asked in-depth technical questions, and exchanged perspectives on challenges and opportunities within the raspberry industry. These conversations created a dynamic learning environment, bridging knowledge between regions and reinforcing the importance of collaboration across the value chain.
For ABB, this direct interaction with growers is essential. It ensures that breeding objectives remain aligned with real market needs and production realities.
Strengthening the Link Between Breeding and Production
The Scout & Pick Iberia Field Tour is part of ABB’s ongoing commitment to connecting breeding innovation with practical application in the field.
By creating opportunities for growers to see, evaluate, and discuss raspberry varieties in real production environments, ABB continues to support informed decision-making and long-term success for its partners.
As the raspberry industry continues to evolve, collaboration between breeders, growers, and technical experts will remain essential. Initiatives like the Iberia Field Tour play a key role in strengthening these connections and advancing the industry as a whole.
Following the success of the 2026 Iberia Field Tour, ABB remains committed to organizing similar initiatives that bring stakeholders closer to the field and to each other.
We thank all participants for their engagement, insights and contribution to a highly valuable experience.