Fall Creek® to reveal new SEKOYA® Nova ‘FC15-173’ high-chill blueberry variety at Fruit Logistica 2026

EUGENE, Ore., U.S. — Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc.®, will introduce the high-chill blueberry variety SEKOYA® Nova ‘FC15-173’ at Fruit Logistica 2026, showcasing distinct fruit quality and production advantages designed for mid-late season growing regions, completing the SEKOYA® portfolio for year-round premium blueberry supply.

Fall Creek® will present a unified show presence at the Feb. 4–6 event at Messe Berlin, exhibiting in Hall 1.2, Stand B-50. Fall Creek® will also feature select Fall Creek Collection™ varieties spanning multiple chill zones, reflecting a genetics portfolio designed to support diverse growing regions and market windows.

“Growers are being asked to deliver greater consistency in packouts, firmness, shelf life and harvest efficiency, while navigating tighter labor conditions and higher quality expectations,” said Fall Creek® Chief Commercial Officer Paul Nselel. “Sekoya® Nova 'FC15-173' directly addresses these priorities for mid-late season production, completing our year-round SEKOYA® offering. At Fruit Logistica, we'll demonstrate how our breeding and applied research are translating into varieties that perform in the field and protect eating quality through the supply chain.”

Variety highlight: Sekoya® Nova ‘FC15-173’

 SEKOYA® Nova ‘FC15-173’ has demonstrated a combination of fruit size distribution and postharvest performance that differentiates it from many high-chill blueberry varieties currently in commercial production, according to Fall Creek® evaluation results. In trials, the variety has shown shelf life and storability exceeding 60 days while maintaining fruit quality, compared with the roughly 45-day storage window typical of many newer high-chill releases.

Fruit size distribution has also been a key point of differentiation. Approximately 80 percent of SEKOYA® Nova ‘FC15-173’ fruit has exceeded 18 millimetres in diameter, a significantly higher proportion than the 20 to 50 percent commonly observed in comparable high-chill varieties. The variety has also demonstrated concentrated ripening, supporting more efficient harvest planning in mid-late season production regions.

“What’s stood out in our evaluations is how consistently SEKOYA® Nova ‘FC15-173’ holds quality through extended storage,” said SEKOYA® Vice President and General Manager Mark David. “That kind of shelf life, combined with a high proportion of larger fruit, gives growers more flexibility in harvest timing and helps protect eating quality further down the supply chain.”

Unified booth concept and show details

At Fruit Logistica, Fall Creek® will present a unified booth concept with SEKOYA®, featuring distinct areas for each platform and reflecting an integrated customer experience across its genetics portfolio.

The company will host a Fall Creek® & SEKOYA® “Connect” event on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 4–6 p.m. at Hall 1.2, Stand B-50.

Fall Creek Collection™ highlights

Fall Creek® plans to feature Fall Creek Collection™ varieties representing multiple chill profiles, including KeplerBlue® ‘FCM12-038,’ AzraBlue® ‘FCM14-031,’ ArabellaBlue® ‘FC14-062,’ LoretoBlue® ‘FC11-118,’ LunaBlue® ‘FC12-205,’ and ‘FCM14-057,’ along with pipeline genetics and trial momentum tied to mechanical harvestability and regional adaptability.

About Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc.®

Fall Creek® is a world-leading blueberry genetics company, delivering over 40 million plants of 100+ unique varieties annually to leading growers across 59 countries. Founded in Oregon in 1978, this family-owned company operates 10 wholly-owned facilities spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Fall Creek® serves the global industry through distinct licensing platforms for advanced blueberry varieties. With over 1,000 team members worldwide, the company provides comprehensive horticultural support and market intelligence to maximize grower success. Committed to building "A World with Better Blueberries™," Fall Creek® continues to lead industry innovation. Visit www.fallcreeknursery.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Pavel Gonzalez
Corporate Communications Manager
pavelg@fallcreeknursery.com

ON-SITE MEDIA CONTACT:

Ellen Kim
Global Marketing Director
+1 (541) 517-0093
ellenk@fallcreeknursery.com