en.Wedoany.com Reported - The state of Ceará in Brazil has initiated a new phase of agricultural research on berry cultivation, including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, aimed at evaluating the genetic adaptability of different varieties in the state, thereby opening new commercial opportunities for local producers.

The research is primarily focused on the Serra da Ibiapaba region and will later expand to the Chapada do Apodi plateau. In October 2025, the Ceará state government, through the Secretariat of Economic Development (SDE), partnered with Emco Cal Company to test new red fruit varieties in the state. Emco Cal Company, a firm specializing in genetic solutions for berry cultivation, provided licensed varieties for testing by partner producers.

Initial results indicate that strawberries have shown good adaptability in Serra da Ibiapaba, with yields of approximately 1.5 kilograms per plant in the region, close to those of major international producers such as Spain and Portugal. Strawberries have a fast growth cycle, with harvest expected 40 to 50 days after planting. Blueberries, due to their longer development cycle, are still in the early stages of experimentation and require a longer observation period.

The research also compares cultivation systems in open fields and protected environments, such as greenhouses, and evaluates factors like substrate, soil, irrigation, and production methods to determine optimal cultivation practices. According to Antônio Felippe Fagherazzi, a plant production PhD and manager of the Brazilian company, the goal is to identify which varieties can achieve maximum production potential under different microclimatic conditions.

In recent years, growing market demand for foods associated with healthy diets has increased the commercial value of berries. Ceará seeks to develop high-value-added crops such as blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries through agricultural diversification. Erildo Pontes, water resources coordinator at the Ceará State Secretariat of Economic Development, stated that the state intends to develop at least these four crops.

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