Argentina debuts ultra-durable nectarine

Argentina has introduced a nectarine with the kind of postharvest endurance normally seen only in leading global breeding programmes — a breakthrough that could shift the country’s export map.

INTA San Pedro has officially launched Pionero INTA, a new nectarine variety capable of maintaining commercial quality for more than 47 days after harvest. The cultivar, developed over 11 years, is the first in Argentina with this level of cold-storage resistance.

Its extended shelf life places it among the few nectarines worldwide that can withstand long-distance maritime transport, creating an opportunity for Argentina to supply Europe and the United States during their off-season months.

According to INTA researcher and breeder Gerardo Sánchez, the variety overcomes the physiological limits that prevent most nectarines from reaching distant markets by sea. While standard nectarines begin losing firmness and quality after roughly 14 days at 0°C, Pionero INTA remains stable for over six weeks thanks to its internal structure and stronger resistance to dehydration and chilling injury.

Key characteristics include more than 47 days of storage potential, a matte red skin covering around 70% of the fruit, yellow flesh with a pronounced acidity, 13.8° Brix, and an average weight of 140 g — a size suitable for premium export programmes.

The variety aligns with Argentina’s production window from November to February, when Europe and North America have no local supply. Its suitability for sea freight allows larger, more cost-efficient shipments into a high-value market slot.

Sánchez added that the cultivar may also interest exporters in Brazil, Peru and Chile seeking inter-hemispheric opportunities.

Developed entirely at INTA’s San Pedro Experimental Station, Pionero INTA also offers agronomic advantages: good performance in warmer regions, an early harvest window (10–20 November) and production requirements similar to existing varieties. The cultivar is now available for licensing.

source: frutasdechile.cl

photo: bichosdecampo.com