Bloom Fresh, the world’s leading premium fruit-breeding company specializing in table grapes, cherries, and raisins, took top honors during the recent South African and Namibia Block Competitions with their varieties Timco, Timpson, Cotton Candy and Sweet Globe.
With South Africa and Namibia continuing market growth for table grape production, Bloom’s best varieties are showing their might in these regions.
“We are very proud that our table grape varieties did so well in the South African Block competitions,” said Hein Koch, Bloom Fresh Country Manager. “We are honored to work with such renowned growers, and the results demonstrated how well Bloom varieties can flourish in South African conditions.”
The competitions are held in farms from several regions, including the Berg River, Orange River, the Hex River, and the Elephant River, and Namibia.
Consisting of two categories, the Production Block and the Young Block, judging includes correct viticultural practices such as soil preparation, irrigation, crop control, and general appearance as well as soil preparation and successful establishment of the young vines.
Bloom’s top winners in Namibia went to Namibian Grape Company for Bloom’s Timco variety. Achill, Fairview Farm’s Timpson variety took second place and won the Young Block Achievers award. Second place in the Young Block competition went to Sonop Farms for Sweet Celebration as well as for Sweet Globe.
Bloom’s table grape varieties also took top honors in the Berg River and Hex River block competitions. The winner of the Production Block was Steenebrug Farms, followed by Dasdrif Farms with Sweet Globe, and third place went to Heimat Boerdery with Sweet Celebration.
In the Hex River Block Competition, first place in the Production Block went to Karsten Boerdery for Sweet Celebration, and second place was awarded to De Vlei Boerdery with Sweet Celebration. In the Young Block competition, the second-place winner went to Karsten Boerdery with Sweetglobe.
In the Orange River Block Young Block competition, first place went to Karsten Boerdery with Cotton Candy and second place went to Witklip for Sugar Crisp, with third place going to Gamcaip Grape Farms with Timpson. In the Production Block category, the first prize went to Valam, Noudonsies with Sweet Globe, and the third prize went to Valam, Oorkant with Sweet Globe.
All these varieties are known for their specific texture and taste sensations, crunchy and sweet.
“For us, it is key to support our licensed growers: their success is our success,” Koch said. “That’s why our dedicated technical team is always striving to help growers engage in the best practices for those varieties in our specific terrain and weather conditions.”
