The New Era of Blueberry Genetics: Innovations and Market Outlook for New Variety Releases – Part 1

This article is the first installment in a multi-part series covering the newest releases and developments from leading genetic breeding programs across the global blueberry industry.

The global blueberry industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by genetics. The demand for fruit with better texture, larger size, extended postharvest shelf-life, and a superior flavor profile requires plant breeding programs to develop varieties tailored to diverse climatic conditions.

In this context, two industry-leading companies and members of the International Blueberry Organization (IBO)—Oregon Blueberry and Fall Creek—have presented their latest innovations. Below, we analyze in detail their recent releases, competitive advantages, and commercial market outlooks.

Oregon Blueberry: Grower-Driven Genetics Built for Commercial Performance

Oregon Blueberry focuses on solving operational challenges for growers by lowering management and input costs, while simultaneously meeting the strict firmness and appearance standards required by retail channels.

Breeding / Genetics Program

Oregon Blueberry employs a pyramid structure in its genetics plan. Each stakeholder in the pyramid has distinct interests, but the collective interests ultimately determine variety success. The grower is the foundation, with economics and long-term viability at the forefront. The marketer is the next level in the pyramid and is most concerned with berry quality, shelf life and availability. At the top of the pyramid is the increasingly demanding consumer, who expects flavor, firmness, size and an excellent eating experience. Our genetic selections must satisfy each stakeholder group in order to advance to the next level and ultimately become a commercial release.

OBG-Raptor™ ‘OBG-16252’ 

Commercially released in the past year, OBG-Raptor™ (‘OBG-16252’) is an innovative Rabbiteye blueberry variety designed to maximize per-acre profitability. It requires approximately 500+ chill hours and features a bloom-to-ripe period of about 138 days. It delivers an exceptional yield averaging 35 lbs. (16 kg) per plant, significantly outperforming traditional varieties. Its concentrated ripening enables highly efficient harvest passes, which lowers field labor expenses. It produces berries with an average size of 18–20 mm, maintaining outstanding firmness after four weeks of storage (averaging 276.7 g/mm).

Additionally, it features nearly undetectable seeds, delivering a fruit quality and eating experience comparable to premier highbush cultivars. According to Sales Manager Doug McCann, Raptor stands out for requiring lower field inputs, reducing grower risk, and delivering large, firm, consistent fruit that meets retailer demands.

OBG-Belair™ ‘OBG-20062’

Targeted at the early to mid-season market window, OBG-Belair™ (‘OBG-20062’) is an outstanding Southern Highbush option tailored for mid-chill growing environments requiring approximately 400+ chill hours.

The plant exhibits strong agronomic vigor and rapid growth during its first year post-planting, reaching an accelerated bloom-to-ripe period of approximately 82 days.

This variety yields an average of 9 kg (20 lbs.) per plant and produces berries with an average size of 20.52 mm. It excels in postharvest durability, maintaining its texture, flavor, and a remarkable average firmness of 327.8 g/mm after four weeks of cold storage. On the commercial front, it features loose fruit clusters and attractive berries that readily displace older, legacy varieties in clamshell packaging on supermarket shelves.

Belair is positioned as a next-generation replacement for older early- to mid-season southern highbush varieties. Its combination of vigorous plant growth, large fruit, strong postharvest performance and attractive pack-out gives growers a commercially relevant option for markets where both field performance and arrival quality are critical.

This both newly released varieties are being trialed across North America and are beginning trials in Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. 

Additional 2026 Releases 

Oregon Blueberry also introduced two additional varieties in 2026: OBG-Astoria, a new high-chill variety requiring 800+ chill hours, and OBG-Sirocco™, a low-chill variety requiring approximately 350 chill hours. With global trials underway and additional advanced selections moving through the pipeline, Oregon Blueberry is continuing to build a broader genetics portfolio across all chill zones, with the goal of delivering high-performing varieties for growers across diverse production regions, harvest windows and market needs.

Fall Creek: Targeted Innovations Across High-Chill and Low-Chill Spectra

Fall Creek offers a diverse range of commercial releases tailored to specific chilling requirements, backed by extensive technical datasheets and global trial research.

Everlast™ ‘FC11-164’

Officially announced on July 29, 2026, during the Global High Chill Field + Forum in Oregon, Everlast™ ‘FC11-164’ is a mid-to-late season mid/high chill variety.

Fresh Curation via Machine Harvest: Unmatched firmness (268 g/mm FirmPro post 28 days storage vs. 181 g/mm for Cargo) allows full single-pass mechanical harvesting directly for the fresh fruit market.

Long-Term Storage: Demonstrates remarkable shelf-life exceeding 3 months while retaining its signature crunch and flavor.

Market Projection: As noted by Breeding Program Manager Jordy McCornack, Everlast™ has the potential to reshape how Northern Highbush berries are harvested and stored, boosting grower profit margins through labor savings.

Sekoya® Nova ‘FC15-173’

Unveiled on February 4, 2026, at Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Sekoya® Nova ‘FC15-173’ is a high-chill variety built for exceptional fruit quality and grower economics.

Fruit Size & Firmness: Averages 20 mm in diameter with over 80% of fruit larger than 18 mm and over 25% exceeding 21 mm. Maintains 231 gf/mm firmness after 28 days.

Extended Storability: Capable of maintaining premium flavor and crunch for 60 days or longer using modified atmosphere packaging.

Market Projection: Adapted to high-chill regions like North-Central Europe and North America, its rapid yield buildup and concentrated 2-pick harvest window optimize labor efficiency.

Apex ‘FCM14-057’

Announced in August 2023 with commercial sales commencing in 2024, Apex ‘FCM14-057’ is an early-to-mid season zero/low chill variety suited for evergreen management.

High Productivity & Shelf-Life: Reaches yields exceeding 20 tons per hectare in its second production year. Maintained firmness (277 g/mm) and flavor for up to 45 days in cold storage.

Upright Habit: Upright plant structure significantly improves hand and mechanical picking efficiency.

Market Projection: Has proven highly successful in trial and commercial fields across Mexico, Spain, and Morocco, establishing a new quality benchmark in low-chill markets.

FCM17-132

Announced in October 2024, FCM17-132 is the newest addition to Fall Creek’s Zero Chill Collection for evergreen regions like Peru.

Massive Yield Potential: Surpasses 20 to 35 tons per hectare starting in its early production seasons (reaching over 5 kg per plant in year 2).

Fruit Quality: Large berries (60%–95% >18mm) with low acidity, high sweetness ratio, and excellent firmness (186 g/mm / 76 Shore units) that holds strong for 28+ days.

Market Projection: Requires trellising or structural pruning due to its sprawling growth habit, but offers long-haul transport stability essential for shipping to North America, Europe, and Asia.

Industry Outlook: The Future of Blueberry Breeding

The innovations introduced by Oregon Blueberry Nursery, Hortifrut, and Fall Creek demonstrate that modern blueberry breeding is firmly market-driven. The focus has successfully shifted from purely high field yield to a balanced equation: combining field vigor, climatic adaptability, reduced harvesting costs, and long postharvest life with an exceptional eating experience for the consumer. As these new varieties continue to replace legacy genetics globally, both growers and retailers stand to gain greater market stability and consumer loyalty.

In Part 2 of this series, we’ll explore the new varieties driving our industry forward with confidence and quality. Stay tuned!

(*) All of the information regarding the new varieties in this report are provided by the IP owner and have not been validated independently.

IBO Original Content