Frutivar: Grupo Hijuelas and Les Domaines Agricoles Introduce a New Platform for Plant Development in Morocco

Grupo Hijuelas and Les Domaines Agricoles have joined forces to develop Frutivar, a new platform focused on plant propagation, production and development in Morocco, combining the technological and nursery expertise developed by the Chilean group with the in vitro production, agricultural and commercial capabilities of the Moroccan group.

The initiative aims to consolidate a national plant production capability in Morocco, bringing new genetic alternatives and technical expertise closer to growers in the country. It rests on the implementation of production models designed to support the development of Morocco’s fruit industry, which continues to gain importance in international markets.

Two sources of expertise

Grupo Hijuelas brings its experience in plant propagation and production, together with a growing international platform focused on connecting genetics, technology and productive development across different markets, including Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, the United States and France, among others.

Les Domaines Agricoles, meanwhile, is one of Morocco’s leading agricultural groups, with an integrated model encompassing different areas of production and a strong international presence. Its export operations market fruit and vegetables in more than 40 countries. The group is also one of Morocco’s leading producers of fruit plants, through its nurseries and its El Bassatine laboratory.

Founded in 1984 to help restore the Moroccan palm groves affected by Bayoud disease, the El Bassatine laboratory is one of the oldest in vitro culture facilities in the country. It has mastered the micropropagation of date palm, banana, rosaceae and cactus, and supports the country’s major planting programmes. It is this expertise that Les Domaines Agricoles brings to Frutivar, alongside Grupo Hijuelas’ genetic programmes and industrial scale.

Backed by the experience of its two shareholders, the new company aims to become a leading player in an extremely dynamic market.

Frutivar’s first berry plants are already in Morocco

Frutivar’s first production is in berries. Productive development has not waited for the site to be fully operational. During this initial stage, plant material has been shipped from Chile and subsequently rooted at Frutivar. The first plants have already been delivered and established with Moroccan growers, becoming the first generation of plants from the project in the country.

According to Remo Nasi, Head of Grupo Hijuelas for the EMEA region, this stage represents a key step in the Chilean group’s growth and establishment worldwide. “Grupo Hijuelas’ capacity for development and partnership demonstrates the value placed globally on its experience and the proven results it has delivered over the years,” he said.

“In vitro culture is a business we have been running for forty years on the Kingdom’s strategic crops. Frutivar opens it to new species, with a partner that brings access to international genetic programmes and proven industrial scale,” added Badr Bennis, Deputy CEO of Les Domaines Agricoles.

Long Term Structure for Growers

At the same time, Frutivar is incorporating new genetics into its portfolio, with the aim of progressively expanding the alternatives available to growers and contributing to the growth and diversification of Morocco’s fruit industry. The teams of both partners are running an ongoing training and technical exchange programme.

Through this project, Grupo Hijuelas and Les Domaines Agricoles aim to develop a long-term structure that brings new plant alternatives and propagation capabilities closer to growers, with Morocco serving as a base for the project’s development across the region.

Representatives of Grupo Hijuelas and Les Domaines Agricoles will be at Fruit Attraction, from 6 to 8 October in Madrid. They will be available to growers, exporters and industry stakeholders wishing to discuss Frutivar.

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