Viveros Hernandorena and PSB Producción Vegetal: two decades of success in favour of stone fruits

Viveros Hernandorena has maintained a successful alliance with PSB Producción Vegetal, one of the main stone fruit breeders, for two decades. This collaboration has been fundamental in the evolution and consolidation of this nursery as a benchmark in stone fruit, marking important milestones in the innovation and professionalisation of Spanish fruit growing.

PSB Producción Vegetal is currently one of the main stone fruit breeders in the world, with an innovative capacity that has marked the new direction of this sector: varieties adapted to the production areas, to the needs of the markets, and where flavour is their main value. “This commitment to research by PSB Producción Vegetal has revolutionised fruit growing with the introduction of a wide range of varieties, which has been key to the survival of many crops”, Rosa Hernandorena, sales and export director of Viveros Hernandorena, points out.

Rosa Hernandorena points out two significant milestones in the evolution of the stone fruit sector that allow us to understand the situation we are in today. The first took place in 2014, when the Russian veto had a negative impact on exports of Spanish fruit and vegetables in general, but especially stone fruit, leading to a decrease in the number of operators and the survival of only the highest quality varieties destined for very demanding markets. The second milestone was in 2020, when the pandemic boosted fruit consumption as a healthy food.

And in these two moments, the commercial relationship between Viveros Hernandorena and PSB Producción Vegetal, which has lasted for 20 years now, was decisive, positioning both entities as benchmarks.

Joint growth

For Viveros Hernandorena, working with PSB has been crucial, making a decisive contribution to its specialisation in stone fruit. “PSB is today one of the best hybridisers in the world, with a powerful investment dedicated to the development of varieties of maximum quality, hardiness and colouring. While other breeders were introducing 1,000 hybrids, they already had 100,000. The magnitude of their work in novelties and research far exceeds that of other public and private research centres. It is the partner that has allowed us to make the leap to specialisation and which has positioned Spain, with rising production, at the centre of European fruit growing”, Rosa Hernandorena emphasises.

This fruitful collaboration has allowed Viveros Hernandorena to offer a wide range of stone fruit plants of high quality, resistance and productivity. Currently, this nursery produces 800,000 plants, of which 200,000 are stone fruit, 80% of its varieties being PSB. A growth trajectory that has seen its volumes increase continuously and steadily, extending its production cycle throughout the year, which has made it possible to reach new markets and strengthen its export presence.

The savor, the main objective

Currently, Viveros Hernandorena and PSB are collaborating in the development and commercial introduction of new varieties of top quality stone fruit (platerina, peach, flat peach, nectarine and plum), all of which are in great demand on the market. In the case of platerina, PSB’s new varieties overcome the problems of the current supply, with varieties that are tastier, firmer, with higher productivity in the field and quality guarantees for the consumer. “This focus on the flavour and firmness of the fruit is the result of solid research carried out by PSB”, Rosa Hernandorena emphasises, who is particularly excited about this new range of PSB platerinas.

Likewise, the sales director focuses on the latest research carried out with rootstocks, especially in apricot, where an Italian Mirared rootstock has emerged with revolutionary potential in this crop that “opens up a field of possibilities and becomes a complementary option to current crops”.

“From Hernandorena we thank PSB Producción Vegetal for their confidence in us, as a stable nursery committed to the quality and care of their varieties”, stresses Rosa Hernandorena.

Mutual support and recognition

 Along the same lines, PSB Producción Vegetal recognises Viveros Hernandorena for its professionalism and production capacity, guaranteeing a constant supply of quality plants throughout the year. “Viveros Hernandorena has been able to adapt with effort, perseverance and professionalism to market demand and has achieved a very significant representation, marketing 25% of PSB plants throughout Spain”, emphasises Stéphane Buffat, director of PSB Producción Vegetal.

In the current panorama of the stone fruit sector, demand remains stable and moderate, with a trend towards renewal and specialisation in higher quality varieties. In this context, Viveros Hernandorena and PSB Producción Vegetal remain at the forefront of innovation and professionalisation, contributing to the sustainable and competitive development of the fruit growing sector.