In the United States, scientists and agronomists at the University of California, Riverside have developed a new avocado variety: Luna UCR™. The variety is protected by a patent and will be marketed to growers around the world through a partnership with Eurosemillas, SA, a Spain-based company specialising in the international marketing of exclusive varieties. Eurosemillas has partnered with growers in 14 countries outside the US to develop Luna UCR™.

 

This new variety various advantages for growers: smaller trees allowing denser plantings, flower type that makes it an effective pollinator for other varieties including Hass. Planting Luna UCR™ among other varieties could help ensure good yields by increasing pollination rates.

 

For consumers, this new variety has high post-harvest quality, a thicker skin than Hass and which turns black when the fruit is ripe. The flavour is judged to be excellent, but slightly different from that of the Hass; the texture is described as unctuous, and slightly less creamy than that of the Hass.