Sekoya® looks to extend premium blueberry supply across China’s growing regions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2026

Sekoya® looks to extend premium blueberry supply across China’s growing regions

From Sekoya Pop® 'FCM14-052' in Yunnan to opportunities for Sekoya Crunch® 'FC13-083' , Sekoya Grande® 'FC13-122' Sekoya Fiesta® 'FC13-113' and Sekoya® Nova 'FC15-173' in mid- and high-chill regions, Sekoya® sees potential to serve more of China’s domestic blueberry season. Meet the Fall Creek® team at Asia Fruit Logistica Stand 3-3H41.

EUGENE, Ore., U.S. — China’s blueberry industry is expanding beyond the low-chill production regions that have driven much of its recent growth. For Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc.’s Sekoya® platform, that creates a new opportunity: combining varieties suited to different climates and harvest windows to help growers supply premium-quality blueberries across more of the year.

Fall Creek® will bring that story to Asia Fruit Logistica, Sept. 2-4 in Hong Kong, where the company will meet with growers, marketers and retailers at Stand 3-3H41.

Sekoya Pop® ‘FCM14-052’ is already established in Yunnan, China’s principal low-chill blueberry production region. Sekoya Pop was developed for zero- and low-chill environments and produces early to mid-season fruit, depending on growing conditions and management. Its adaptability and ability to respond to different pruning schedules also give growers flexibility in planning production windows.

Now, Sekoya is looking at how mid- and high-chill genetics can complement that production as China’s blueberry industry develops in other regions and climates.

“China is not one blueberry-growing environment, and that is what makes the opportunity so interesting,” said Mark David, vice president and general manager for Sekoya. “Sekoya Pop has already demonstrated what premium Sekoya fruit can deliver in low-chill production. The next step is to look at how varieties developed for mid- and high-chill conditions can complement that season and help growers deliver a more consistent supply of premium blueberries grown in China.”

From low chill to high chill

That progression starts with Sekoya Pop, the established zero- and low-chill variety, and continues with mid- and high-chill production of Sekoya Crunch® ‘FC13-083’, Sekoya Grande® ‘FC13-122’, Sekoya Fiesta® ‘FC13-113’, and Sekoya Nova® ‘FC15-173’.

Sekoya Crunch is an early-season variety adapted to mid- and high-chill environments. Its fruit combines firmness, size and a sweet, aromatic flavor, while retaining its characteristic crunch through extended cold storage.

Fiesta moves the window later. Developed as a high-chill variety, it produces large, firm fruit with a sweet, aromatic flavor in the late season. Fall Creek evaluations have also shown strong fruit quality through as many as 60 days in cold storage.

Sekoya Nova, the latest high-chill variety released to the Sekoya platform, further complements the portfolio and its longer-term potential in China.  Sekoya Nova combines very large fruit with strong firmness and storage performance, including the ability to maintain fruit quality through extended cold storage.

Together, the varieties illustrate how Sekoya is approaching the longer-term China opportunity: not around a single variety or production region, but around genetics that can serve different growing conditions and harvest periods while maintaining the fruit quality expected from the Sekoya platform.

For Chinese consumers, that consistency matters. Fall Creek’s 2026 Global Fresh Blueberry Consumer Study found that 74% of surveyed consumers in four Tier 1 Chinese cities buy blueberries at least weekly, 76% choose blueberries over other berries and 57% prefer large or jumbo fruit. Nearly half, 48%, said variety names influence their purchase decisions, while 21% already recognized the Sekoya name.

“By bringing together zero-, low-, mid- and high-chill genetics, we can support customers across a much broader range of production environments and harvest windows,” said Toni Yue, vice president and general manager for China. “Combined with our technical and commercial support, that diversified portfolio gives growers more options to build toward a reliable, year-round supply of premium blueberries for Chinese consumers.”

While the mid- and high-chill varieties will not be showcased at Asia Fruit Logistica because their production seasons do not coincide with the event, visitors to the Fall Creek stand will be able to taste Sekoya Pop fruit produced in Peru.

Asia Fruit Logistica will give customers and industry partners an opportunity to meet the Fall Creek team and learn more about the continued development of Sekoya in China, including the role of Sekoya Pop today and the potential for Sekoya Crunch, Sekoya Grande, Sekoya Fiesta and Sekoya Nova as production expands into additional growing regions.

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About Fall Creek Farm and Nursery, Inc.

Fall Creek® is a world-leading blueberry genetics company, delivering over 40 million plants of 100+ unique varieties annually to leading growers and communities in over 65 countries. Founded in Oregon in 1978, this family-owned company operates 10 wholly owned business units with operations 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 1,100 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
pavelg@fallcreeknursery.com

Fall Creek® and Sekoya® are registered trademarks of Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc. Sekoya Pop® ‘FCM14-052’, Sekoya Crunch® ‘FC13-083’, Sekoya Grande® ‘FC13-122’, Sekoya Fiesta® ‘FC13-113’ and Sekoya® Nova ‘FC15-173’ are the full variety designations referenced in this release.