Addressing an audience of about fifty professionals from across the European fruit industry, the event was marked by one phrase that kept resonating throughout: “ease of harvest.” This defining quality is what truly sets Pink Rosita apart — a feature that immediately captured the attention of many growers in attendance.
Pink Rosita: A Raspberry that Combines Easy Harvesting and Promising Yields
With labor costs continuing to rise, ease of picking — and the resulting reduction in harvest expenses — has become a decisive factor for growers. According to Jan van Zuilen of Berrybrothers, Pink Rosita makes a tangible difference in the field: harvesting is faster, pickers gather more kilos per hour, and overall costs drop. He estimates the savings at around one euro per kilo of raspberries.
Strong Yields and Excellent Shelf Life
Berrybrothers has been testing Pink Rosita for three years, and the results have been very positive. The variety also shows excellent shelf life. Since the berries stay fresh longer, they can be shipped to more distant markets, creating new commercial opportunities. Throughout the event, the main focus remained on the ease of picking. Elisa Pérez, Variety Breeding Manager at Planasa, explained the specific traits that make the difference: “We selected three key criteria to improve harvesting efficiency. First, the plant structure — fruits are clearly visible and not hidden behind drooping branches or leaves. Second, fruit size — the raspberries are relatively large, which speeds up picking. And finally — perhaps most importantly — fruit detachment: Pink Rosita releases from the plant more easily than other varieties, which makes harvesting faster and smoother.”
A Perfect Balance of Sweetness and Freshness
Flavor remains a critical aspect. Gerard Vos of Vos Fruit (Driel) shared that he had previously tested a Spanish variety that performed well in Spain but was poorly suited to Dutch growing conditions. “With Pink Rosita, it’s completely different — its flavor strikes a perfect balance between sweetness and freshness.” In addition to the trials at Berrybrothers, a second test is underway at PC Fruit in Sint-Truiden (Belgium). Early results are very encouraging: when grown as a spring crop, Pink Rosita outperforms the Kwanza variety in yield, while also being easier to pick and offering a sweeter, more pleasant taste. Trials are now continuing in autumn cultivation to assess its performance under different production conditions.
No Restrictive Contracts for Growers
Another key advantage: growers are not bound by restrictive contracts. According to Sjoerd Van Gestel of Planasa, the presentation of Pink Rosita was more of a pre-launch showcase than a formal commercial introduction. The event proved to be a great success, drawing representatives from Poland, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.