Bayer's new strawberry addresses 'pressing' challenges for growers

Bayer has launched a new variety of strawberry which it says addresses the “pressing production challenges for growers.” 

The strawberry, called Bayer Solara, is the first commercial strawberry variety from Bayer’s De Ruiter brand. This new variety is said to be characterised by large, uniform fruits and is developed to reduce post-harvest darkening. It is also said to offer a “pleasant sweetness with a balanced sugar acid-ratio, making it an attractive option for consumers.” Strawberries are among the fastest growing fruit crop, with year-round demand exceeding supply, Bayer said. 

Bayer’s strawberry, which is described as an “early-mid season June bearer variety”, has also been developed to show significant improvement against common diseases, including Phytophthora cactorum, a fungal disease that causes the crown of strawberries to rot. Bayer said that this genetic resistance is vital for ensuring the long-term viability of strawberry production. 

The launch of Bayer Solara is a part of Bayer’s strategic expansion into the strawberry market and follows the acquisition of the strawberry breeding programme of the UK’s National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB). At the time of the acquisition in 2023, Bayer said that the move would allow its Crop Science Division to provide a broader range of solutions for growers in the expanding protected strawberry market. 

“With this launch we are targeting Northern Europe’s rapidly growing protected cropping sector and offer growers new opportunities,” said Swanny Chouteau, portfolio lead for the Europe Middle East and Africa region at Bayer’s Crop Science Division. 

The company added that as well as the benefits to growers of a more productive and reliable harvest, the new strawberry offers retailers and consumers “excellent shelf life, reducing waste.”  Bayer Solara will be available to growers in the UK, Germany and Benelux.

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