The Fruit and Nut Breeding Business: Coming to Fruition

The fruit and tree nut breeding business is growing up. There are untapped opportunities for genetic players in the expanding fruit and nut market. Genetics play a key role in sustainable and consumer-centric production by providing cultivars that are more input-efficient and/or offer a better eating experience. As there are more than 300 different types of fruit and nuts with distinctive characteristics, the potential opportunities will vary greatly by crop type. Opportunities depend on the potential market size, the production areas, the genomic complexity, and the duration of the breeding process. The latter is one of the main obstacles in fruit and nut breeding. However, the adoption of new technologies and cooperation with other breeding businesses and supply chain partners will help businesses overcome some of the obstacles and tap into genetic opportunities.