Baya Solara's first commercial strawberry variety. (Image credit: Bayer)

Bayer has officially entered the premium strawberry market with a breakthrough variety that promises to transform how European growers approach soft fruit production.

Baya Solara, launched through the company's renowned De Ruiter brand, represents years of scientific innovation following Bayer's strategic acquisition of NIAB's strawberry breeding programme in 2023.

This June bearing cultivar arrives at a crucial moment for the industry. Global strawberry demand continues outpacing supply throughout the year, whilst growers face mounting pressure from disease threats, labour shortages, and quality expectations from increasingly discerning consumers.

"Our new variety Baya Solara is an exciting June-bearing cultivar and delivers impressive productivity and strong resistance to diseases like Phytophthora cactorum without compromising fruit quality. With this launch, we are targeting Northern Europe's rapidly growing protected cropping sector and offer growers new opportunities," said Swanny Chouteau, Portfolio Lead for the Europe Middle East and Africa region at Bayer's Crop Science division.

The variety tackles one of soft fruit production's most persistent challenges: crown rot caused by Phytophthora cactorum. This fungal disease has devastated countless harvests across Europe, making genetic resistance a genuine breakthrough for sustainable cultivation practices.

Beyond disease protection, Baya Solara delivers remarkable consistency. The fruits maintain impressive uniformity in size whilst resisting post harvest darkening, a critical factor for retail presentation. The flavour profile balances natural sweetness with optimal acidity, creating an eating experience that resonates with modern consumer preferences.

"Baya Solara is a strawberry that offers many benefits. For growers, it means a more productive and reliable harvest. For retailers, it delivers consistent, large, firm fruits with excellent shelf life, reducing waste and ensuring dependable quality. For families, it offers delicious strawberries that stay fresh longer, helping them reduce waste and enjoy every berry," said VK Kishore, Head of Global Product Innovation for Vegetables at Bayer's Crop Science division.

Initial availability covers the UK, Germany, and Benelux markets, targeting the region's expanding protected cropping infrastructure. The variety joins Bayer's growing strawberry portfolio, which includes the popular Malling Ace everbearing variety and the premium Malling Centenary June bearer.

This launch signals Bayer's serious commitment to soft fruit innovation, backed by extensive breeding resources spanning over 20 vegetable crops and thousands of seed selections worldwide.

Sustainable foods 2026 is shaping the future of food system.

Sustainable Foods 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment, bringing together industry decision makers at the Business Design Centre on 28th and 29th January to tackle the biggest challenges facing our food system today.

This landmark gathering focuses on four transformative pillars: Health and Nutrition, Food Security, Net Zero targets, and Regenerative Agriculture. It represents a rare opportunity where both animal and plant based sectors collaborate to build solutions that benefit everyone.

Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee, said, "Rapid progress on reducing agricultural emissions and being thoughtful about how we use our land is needed for the UK to meet its climate targets. The good news is that the solutions are already in front of us, from supporting our farmers to making it easier and more affordable for people to access nutritious and tasty food."

The health crisis demands urgent action. With obesity rates climbing and diet related diseases on the rise, ultra processed foods now face unprecedented scrutiny. Major retailers recognise their responsibility in this transformation.

Ken Murphy, CEO of Tesco, said, "We recognise the vital role supermarkets can play in securing a sustainable food system. Our customers are telling us they want food that is affordable, healthier and better for the planet, and they expect us to lead the way."

Climate extremes, political tensions, and supply chain vulnerabilities dominate boardroom discussions. The event tackles these realities head on.

Henry Dimbleby, Co-founder of Bramble Partners, LEON, and author of the National Food Strategy added,"We are entering a decade of unprecedented disruption in the food system. Health, nature and climate are no longer abstract ESG concerns, they are hard commercial realities. Appetite suppressants are booming, ultra processed food is under fire, and climate change is straining supply chains. Money is moving, and leaders who don't act now will be left behind."

Over 700 delegates from 45 countries will converge, featuring 100 speakers and 50 exhibitors. BBC Radio 4's Dan Saladino will broadcast a special Food Programme episode on 6th February, capturing insights from this crucial gathering where commitment transforms into action.

Cameroon expands cocoa and coffee subsidies.

Cameroon is stepping up its commitment to the cocoa and coffee sectors as the Cocoa and Coffee Development Fund announced plans to roll out CFA 4 billion (approx US$7.2 million) in farmer subsidies in 2026.

The announcement was made during the official launch of the 2025 2026 coffee season in Baditoum, located in the country’s East region, underscoring the government’s focus on revitalising two of its most important export commodities.

The funding will be delivered through the “Producer Window,” a subsidy mechanism introduced in 2021 to give farmers direct access to financial support regardless of their production zone. To participate, producers are required to register with Fodecc and contribute 60 % of their investment cost through an approved financial institution. In return, eligible farmers receive a subsidy covering 30 % to 40 % of that investment in the form of purchase vouchers. These vouchers allow farmers to obtain essential inputs including seedlings, fertilisers, crop protection products, equipment, machinery, and infrastructure, helping to modernise on farm operations and improve yields.

Fodecc administrator Samuel Donatien Nengue explained that the 2026 subsidy package is designed to address pressing challenges such as pest pressures and shortages of planting materials, which frequently disrupt production at the start of the season. He also confirmed that the balance of the 2025 subsidies will be disbursed soon, with new payments expected to commence around April 2026.

So far, nearly 60,000 producers have benefited from the scheme out of 360,000 registered farmers. Authorities aim to increase participation to 500,000 by the end of 2026, building on recent gains in marketed coffee production and improved farm gate prices for both arabica and robusta coffee.

The Producer Window forms part of a wider strategy to inject CFA 50 billion into the cocoa and coffee sectors over five years, with the goal to double production by 2030 and strengthen Cameroon’s position in global agricultural markets.

Natural Mineral Solutions elevate turf and horticulture performance. (Image credit: Pratley)

Across the turf management and horticulture sector, professionals are increasingly turning to natural solutions to overcome long standing soil related challenges.

Maintaining healthy turf and productive landscapes has become more complex as soil conditions directly affect plant performance, water efficiency and maintenance costs. Two of the most common problem soils remain sandy soils, which lose nutrients rapidly through leaching after rainfall or irrigation, and clay soils, known for poor drainage and restricted root development. These limitations often result in stressed plants, increased water use and higher ongoing management expenses, particularly in water scarce regions such as parts of South Africa.

In response, the industry is embracing naturally occurring minerals that enhance soil structure while improving nutrient availability. A growing focus has been placed on zeolite minerals, which are valued for their ability to support sustainable turf and horticultural practices. One notable example is Vulture Creek Clino, a solution derived from clinoptilolite, a naturally occurring zeolite. Zeolites are recognised for their strong ion exchange properties, allowing them to capture essential nutrients such as potassium and ammonium and release them gradually within the root zone. This process ensures plants receive nutrients when they need them most, reducing losses and improving fertiliser efficiency.

By integrating mineral based amendments into turf and landscape fertiliser programmes, professionals are seeing measurable benefits. These include better water retention at root level, lower reliance on frequent fertiliser applications, reduced irrigation needs and stronger, healthier turf. Developers and landscape managers report visible improvements in lawn quality alongside reduced maintenance demands.

As sustainability continues to shape modern horticulture, natural mineral based products are emerging as practical, environmentally responsible tools that support long term soil health while delivering consistent performance in demanding conditions.