'What's Next' from BASF | Nunhems at Fruit Attraction

It has an extensive portfolio of all types of tomatoes that are resistant to the rugose virus, including the IntenseTM range and high-tech varieties, while maintaining productivity and quality.

Two concepts of watermelon are presented: DUAL PURPOSE, developed by BASF | Nunhems® with a complete range of varieties that allow marketing both fresh and minimally processed product; and the PERSONAL watermelon, with TAKEMI as the variety of reference.

BASF has incorporated two new crops—onion and potato—into its AgrigenioTM DSS system, based on mathematical models that facilitate decision-making for producers.

BASF | Nunhems® is participating from the 8th to the 10th of October in the new edition of Fruit Attraction in Madrid, which it does once more under its ‘What’s next’ flag. The multinational once again shines the spotlight on consumer satisfaction and on its role as a trusted partner in the sector for showing the way and travelling together down the different paths to success.

Therefore, this year BASF | Nunhems® has restructured its sales team while “placing the customer at the centre of attention”, notes Anna Pedró, Iberia Country Manager since last June. “Our objective is greater proximity to the customer, thereby gaining in agility, efficiency and response capacity”, she points out.

The company now has two Area Managers in Almería and Murcia, Miguel Espinosa and Pedro García, respectively. “We continue to be specialists in crops”, explains Pedró, while insisting on the “customer focus, such that decisions are made in the areas where those decisions are going to be implemented”.

On the other hand, BASF | Nunhems® is taking advantage of its time at the Madrid event this year to show off its ability to innovate, while staying at the cutting edge of the sector and always with the needs of the entire value chain on the radar screen.

What’s Next in variety innovation...

Tomato and watermelon are two of its stars crops this year at Fruit Attraction. Regarding the former, the company has an extensive portfolio of varieties in nearly all types, which include resistance to the rugose virus (ToBRFV) “without sacrificing anything”, affirms Ester Serrano, Crop Lead EMEA for tomato.

“We have varieties for winning the battle against rugose without compromising either the quality of the fruit or productivity, firmness or calibre”, insists Serrano. Highlights include the Cabosur* and Caboluna* vine tomatoes, the Azovian and Miravian* pear tomatoes, the Daivion* cherry tomato and the Dreampower* rootstock. Moreover, “for the next campaign we’ll launch new varieties in all types, including the Marmande and new rootstocks”.

The advances by BASF | Nunhems® in introducing resistance to rugose are such that there are even two varieties under its IntenseTM range that incorporate that resistance. “We’ve improved the range from the agricultural and the handling perspectives, in addition to achieving fruits with greater quality and consistency”, Serrano points out.

The seed firm has two tomato improvement programmes, one centred on varieties for mid- tech greenhouses (wholesalers in Almería and Murcia), and another targeted at obtaining varieties for high-tech greenhouses, meaning those with much higher glass structures, heating, etc.

As a result of this second programme, they have the Marvellion* cocktail tomato and the Vitalion* round cherry tomato on the vine. “They are varieties that offer a premium quality product”, explains Pedro García, Sales Manager in the Murcia Region, who announces that, precisely for that reason in the case of the Vitalion variety, “we’re creating a group of producers”.

The objective is to connect the entire value chain, from the farmer to the distributor, in order to bring a product to the market that has “a very, very high standard of quality that satisfies the consumer”.

BASF | Nunhems® continues to stress its ‘dual purpose’ concept in watermelon, thereby doubling the market options of producer companies and marketers. And the fact is that, by growing the same variety, they can either target production to the fresh market or to the minimally processed market, thereby taking care of the consumer demand for healthy products and convenient products.

This concept already includes four varieties that have three common characteristics: firmer flesh, a crunchy texture and, above all, exceptional flavour. Thus, in addition to the Bazman and Harmonium varieties—the first to nurture this concept— BASF | Nunhems® now has Amazo* and Zenium* for this campaign.

And these two new varieties are not the only innovations in watermelon, a market where they are leaders. And to continue leading, a new proposal in the personal format is being added, the Takemi*, which can be used both in single-crop programmes and in the pollinator mode.

Takemi* is a true mini watermelon, weighing about 2 kilos, with micro-seeds, black skin and exceptional internal quality. It is also very productive, which resolves one of the main problems faced by producers in this range of sizes.

... and also in digital

On the other hand, BASF is presenting two new crops—onion and potato—in its AgrigenioTM DSS system. This technology tool based on mathematical models contributes essential added value in the decision-making process of farmers.

The AgrigenioTM platform centralises the management of crops and agricultural operations, thereby offering comprehensive advising about the areas that define agricultural production: control of pests and diseases, irrigation, fertilisation, etc. The decision-making of technicians and farmers is thereby facilitated and justified, while seeking greater environmental and production sustainability.

Thanks to the use of precision digital technology, AgrigenioTM DSS allows farmers to predict the appearance and spread of pests and diseases in onion and potato crops, which join those that were launched last year: industrial tomatoes, grape vines, grape and olive, thereby optimising the application of plant health products and optimising the use of phytosanitary products on crops.

BASF thus provides farmers with a tool that lets them make informed decisions and optimise production, which translates into more profitable and sustainable agriculture.

* APC granted and in the process of application for inclusion in the EC Common Catalogue of Vegetable Varieties.

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €944 million in 2023, we continue to invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2023, our division generated sales of €10.1 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

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