Growers in Mexico and China highlight the productivity, fruit size, efficiency and adaptability of Planasa’s variety
In a context in which international markets are increasingly demanding Premium fruit (large and excellent flavour) in combination with high yields, varietal choice has become a strategic decision for blueberry growers. Thanks to this, the Blue Maldiva variety, developed by Planasa, continues to gain prominence across very different regions of the world.
From Mexico to China over Morocco and South Africa, growers working under contrasting agronomic conditions agree in pointing to the high yields, fruit quality and production efficiency delivered by these genetics.
Blue Maldiva in Mexico: productive efficiency and profitability in Ahualulco
In Ahualulco, Mexico, the experience with Blue Maldiva has also marked a turning point for local growers. After working with different varieties and facing plant-health problems and fruit quality that fell short of export-market requirements, the search for a more efficient alternative led to the introduction of Blue Maldiva.
According to José Urbina, the variety stands out for producing large fruit with excellent firmness, sweetness and flavour—essential attributes for international trade. Between 60% and 80% of production falls into the jumbo category, ensuring that virtually the entire crop is exportable.
Another distinguishing feature is its plant architecture. Unlike varieties that develop very bulky bushes, Blue Maldiva shows more restrained growth, allowing the plant to concentrate its energy on fruit production: “A single Blue Maldiva cluster can be as productive as dozens of branches from previous varieties that produced smaller sizes,” Urbina points out.
This efficiency is further reinforced by its earliness: 150 days after pruning, the plants are already in full production. In addition, input requirements are lower, both in terms of nutrition and crop-protection applications, thanks to its low susceptibility to pests and diseases.
In terms of water consumption, the differences are also significant: while Blue Maldiva requires around 200 litres per hectare, other varieties can reach 600 litres, making this variety a more sustainable and profitable option.
Harvesting is another strong point. The large, uniform fruit size makes field operations easier, allowing more kilos to be picked per working day and optimising labour efficiency.
Adaptation to local conditions has been “supported by continuous technical collaboration with Planasa’s engineers, who carry out regular visits to fine-tune nutrition programmes, identify potential issues and optimise crop management”. For José Urbina, the conclusion is clear: “It is a very productive variety that will certainly not let us down in terms of yields.”
Outstanding performance at high-altitude sites in China
In China’s Yunnan province, Xiaobao Ge, head of Yunnan Baoming Agriculture, manages a 30-hectare farm located at almost 1,900 metres above sea level—an altitude that plays a decisive role in shaping the blueberry’s sensory profile.
“At this height, the fruit tastes better, more aromatic and sweeter, and it is also crisper. Compared with lower-altitude areas, its performance is far more outstanding,” he explains.
Before committing to Planasa’s genetics, the team carried out an exhaustive evaluation process, comparing different varieties and analysing their response under a range of production conditions. Ultimately, several factors tipped the balance in favour of Blue Maldiva:
- Its high productivity.
- The high percentage of large-calibre fruit.
- Good disease resistance, which facilitates crop management.
“But most importantly, overall economic returns are very positive,” he stresses.
During field trials, fruit size was one of the most striking aspects. Even at early stages of ripening, berries reached 18+ and 20+ sizes, with more than 80% of the crop exceeding 22 mm. Measurements also recorded fruit of 25+ and even 27 mm, confirming the exceptionally high share of large berries.
“I really like Blue Maldiva overall and I am very satisfied with its performance,” he concludes, also expressing his wish that Planasa growers in other countries continue to achieve good results.
Planasa: genetics geared towards performance and international markets
Planasa continues to strengthen its position as a global benchmark in the development of new berry varieties, through breeding programmes that combine fruit quality, agronomic efficiency and sustainability.
These testimonials from growers in China and Mexico—together with strong performance in other countries such as Spain, Morocco, Peru and Southern Africa—illustrate how varieties such as Blue Maldiva are helping to improve farm profitability and meet the demands of the most competitive markets, reinforcing the role of genetics as one of the key pillars for the future of the global blueberry sector.
