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Classes of raspberries
There are basically two varieties of raspberries:
*According to the moment of production:
- Summer varieties: They represent the bulk of sales of this fruit. These are those that are ripe during the months of July and August. Such plants need a couple of years to produce fruits. Latham varieties are very well-known varieties within this group.
- Summer-autumn varieties: Those that produce fruits during the summer and autumn (from July to October. The volume of sales represent a smaller percentage compared to summer varieties. Such plants are already producing some results in the first year. Amity is one of the the most famous variety, due to the consistency of its dark red fruit).
* Depending on the color:
There are red varieties and varieties with yellow/golden, purples or black tones. Among the main red varieties we have: Amity, Durham, Hilton, Latham, Nova or Taylor. As yellow varieties, Goldie or Kiwi Gold. Among the black varieties we can mention Bristol, Allen or Jewel.
*According to characteristics:
- Pure Varieties: Those that have not been subjected to hybridization processes, so that they retain the properties of wild plants (mainly deciduous branches and presence of thorns)
- Hybrid Varieties: These are obtained by crossing inbred varieties. With these species, we have been able to improve productivity and modify the structure of plants to make them easier to grow and collect. Among the most significant changes it is worth pointing out the disappearance or reduction of thorns and the production of more upright branches.
Characteristics of American raspberries
Many modern varieties have been obtained by hybridisation between the European red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) with the American black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) or the American red raspberry (Rubus strigosus)
American species are characterized by reddish stems and for having tougher and more aromatic fruits than the European species. The latter have whiter stems and generally larger fruits. Loganberry (Rubus loganobaccus) is the result of crossing the red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) with the blackberry (Rubus fruticosus). Among the main hybrid cultivars we have:
- Loganberry (Rubus loganobaccus). Species produced in the late nineteenth century by the horticulturist James Harvey Logan.
It is a tough variety that produces many fruits, but little appreciated by European consumers. It is grown mainly in the Pacific coast of the United States, where it has achieved a big market. Currently used as an intermediate to produce other hybrids.
- Blackberries: They are much more productive varieties resulting from crosses between American and other bramble varieties such as the European dewberry (Rubus caesius).
Also known by the general name of blackberries, which can sometimes lead to confusion with the real blackberry. These are classified as erect and prostrate. The first produce straight stems, without thorns; the latter are crawling and have strong thorns, shaped as hooks.
Belonging to the group called “Erect Blackberries” we have the Boysenberry, with dark and big fruit, strong and persistent flavor even after freezing or cooking; the Logumberry is another variety within the same group with the longest fruits. The Tayberry can be considered the latest variety, it has a conical shape, a considerable length and purple color.
- Golden Raspberry: This group includes a number of hybrid varieties that deliver a superior sweetness and softer texture. This variety is grown especially in private gardens. Within this group is worth mentioning some varieties as Autumn Gold, which produces fruit from spring to autumn with a golden color and extreme sweetness.
Production of raspberries in the world
Within all the fruits, berries represent about 2%. Raspberries stand for 9% of the whole berries. The current world production of raspberries is established about 400,000 tons. This is increasing in many countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Zimbabwe and South Africa. 90% of world production of this fruit is used for juice production.
Which is the greatest raspberry producer of the world?
Europe produces the greatest amount of raspberries in the world, with Russia, Serbia and Poland as the main producers of this continent, followed by Germany, Britain and Hungary. America’s largest producers are Chile, United States and Canada.
Poland provides the greatest percentage of exports to EU countries during the summer months.
Which is the greatest raspberry importer of the world?
The U.S. is the largest importer of this fruit and most imports come from Canada and Chile. The U.S. market consumes a lot of raspberries, both during the season and beyond.
During the winter market in Europe, England is the largest importer of raspberries, most of them from Chile. In general, the Europeans, unlike Americans, think that eating this fruit out of season is still a luxury, which determines that raspberry winter market in Europe is minimal and very expensive.
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