A pear, called the Eden Gold, bred and grown in the extreme Israeli desert with no shade nor hail nets, is one of the latest stone and pomefruit hardy cultivars around the globe have to endure harsher climate environments.

According to Ido Ben Dor from the Israeli company Ben Dor Fruits and Nurseries: “We start harvesting Eden Gold peaches within Israel this week. We will also be harvesting them in Morocco within 2 weeks’ time, as also in the southern region of Italy as well as in France within a couple of weeks. We have specific initiatives where Eden Gold pears performed well in comparison to other varieties which produce less and suffer from diseases that increase in response to climate changes. The fruit is of excellent quality despite the fact that it does not grow under rain or shade nets to the sunshine.”

He claims that this year’s winter similar to the past three, was scorching hot. Not to mention another record-breaking year of scorching summer temperatures to date. “The fruit isn’t receiving the required chilling hours or accumulation is not happening until mid-the end of January. We then have a an early cold frost and later winter rains in Israel as well as different northern hemisphere countries and this trend of shifting is identical. When I visited recent the production regions such as Morocco as well as in the South of Europe, they experience a cold and chilly winter, followed by a massive heat wave. It is currently 45 degrees Celsius at our farm in Israel for the entire week and the same is happening conditions in Spain, Italy and the south of France as well as North Africa.

“In Israel we know this heat. We experienced 49 degree Celsius for 7 days consecutively on some in our farm. This affects the performance and appearance of fruits, so it is possible to select kinds that are more productive. The fruit is ripe and brix, while our trees have been performing very well in the circumstances. Even today we expect 44 degrees Celsius. Also, it affects irrigation strategies because there is an enormous amount of compensation for water even with the expensive costs in Israel. The breeding continues under these conditions. However, we are also establishing breeding areas with a environment where temperatures are colder in northern areas. We perform specific assessments under these conditions using semi-commercial blocks located in warmer regions with different climates,” explains Ben Dor.

Eden Gold pears. Eden Gold pears

Globally planned with Retail programs

“We expect a successful year of production in Italy in the initial young orchards we have planted over the past two years in France as well as Spain in addition. The first fruit is already being harvested testing blocks located in California as well as Washington We are also expecting to witness the first planting within South Africa with Top Fruit. We have signed agreements to establish a program of strategic importance in India and the first trees being planted this winter at nine distinct places across the Himalayas up to south India’s warmer regions. In China there should be trees this winter. Then in East Europe we have a plantation in Bulgaria and we are expecting excellent outcomes. Eden Gold is also planted in Greece which has performed extremely excellently. Also, we have the first supply program that we have for Eden Gold pear with retailers. This is a year-long program and was made possible by excellent feedback from our clients,” says Ben Dor.

Day of open field across Morocco, Italy and France

“We offer open field days in Morocco from August. After that, we will move towards Puglia in Italy from 24-26 August followed by another series of open fields in Italy’s Emelia Romagna at the start of September. This will be followed by France at the beginning of the month.”

The plumegranate of Ben Dor is dark red in color, similar to a pomegranate but having an antioxidant which is three times more.

Ben Dor claims they carry other types that are weather and heat resistant like watermelon plums, which have gained popularity in Italy, France, Spain and Greece. “The Aroma cots are extremely high brix and an intense scent that is unmistakably strong and intense flavour. New varieties make tasting experience much better. Also, we are developing the range Red flesh nectarines that will complete the very early and late season. In Morocco we believe that there is great prospects for reliable and reputable cultivators who want to join our club.”

More information is available here:

Ido Ben Dor

Ben Dor Fruits and Nurseries

Tel: +972-4-6931161

Email: info@bendorfruits.com

www.bendorfruits.com