History
The Metis® story originated in California in 1923. Fred Anderson, a pioneer of stone fruit development, started experimenting by crossing different stone fruits. In the 1940’s, Norman Bradford (at the age of 18) began working with Fred. Norman dedicated his life to the development of Metis®, always searching for the best posible taste and eating experience. Glen Bradford, Norman´s son, joined the program in the 80s.
We make an average of 15,000 hybrids (15,000 plants as a result of natural bee pollination) per year to evaluate for Metis®. Hundreds of commercial varieties have been selected. Over the last 35 years we have made and evaluated over a half million hybrids for the project
In the early 80s, Rústicas del Guadalquivir (Sevilla - Spain) and Star Fruit (Orange - France) travelled to USA looking for new varieties. They discovered Bradford´s varietal programme and the Metis® Project began.
Over the years Metis® plantations have developed in America and Europe. In Europe there are a number of fruit leaders who are dedicated to Metis® - Royal (Spain), Blue Whale (France) and Zani & Minguzzi (Italy).
100 years of varietal innovation, effort, and full-time commitment have delivered this new taste experience.
Plumtastic
Projet
In the early 80s, Rústicas del Guadalquivir (Sevilla - Spain) and Star Fruit (Avignon - France) travelled to USA looking for new varieties. They met Bradford´s varietal programme and, from the first moment, they stablished synergies due to the dual target of offering best quality fruit and innovation.
This partnership guaranteed not only the introducing to the market but also agreement, experience and a work method. This allowed to strength the know-how developed from the beginning, and guaranteed Metis® as a premium fruit wherever it was farmed.
From that moment the Plumtastic project began to take shape in an international project of both American and European teams. Over the years Metis® plantations began to appear and farming and commercialization protocols began to be established. It is at this point where the project was given a universal form with the creation of plumtastic Group formed by the European fruit leaders: Royal (Spain), Blue Whale (France) and Zani & Minguzzi in Italy. As of now, Metis® is farmed in Europe with an area of over 400 hectares with three production areas. A successful project where consumers are delighted with Metis® from May to November every year
Plumtastic
Group
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royal spain
The starting point of the project which today is Royal, was back in 1962 (Sevilla, Spain).
European leaders in supreme quality fruit. Traditional farming methods, which ensure a tasty and aromatic fruit, together with a constant work in innovation ensure the most exclusive and consumer´s most loved varieties.The best varieties of the world, emerged from an arduous research, result in a consistently outstanding product. The taste of tradition.
Tasting the Royal fruit is to enjoy a Mediterranean flavour, a well done job, a careful and manual harvest at its optimum ripeness.
Directly from our farms to the consumer's table with the guarantee of flavour and aroma which characterizes us.
Royal
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Blue Whale france
Fruit farmers association founded in 1950. Today the Brand Blue Whale brings together 300 fruit farmers, set up in the most beautiful fruit basins in France (Southwest, Southeast, Alpes and Loire Country).
Blue Whale stands by as the expert in apples, which is the 1str French exporter. Plums, grapes and kiwis fill out the Blue Whale basket.
Blue Whale remains loyal to the pioneers’ fruit farmers’ spirit. The company has imposed an unprecedented economic model: to be able to satisfy both orders from major French distributors, and importers, while ensuring the quality of traditional farming.
Thanks to we live exclusively from the fruits, we have a special responsibility, both with nature as to our customers (distributors or consumers).
Blue Whale
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Granfrutta Zani italy
With more than 40 years of activity and important achievements, Granfrutta Zani carries on the implementation of the strategies and renewal of abilities that managed them to be considered a solid structure and a reliable partner for customers,
who have all the guarantees on the quality of the products, and their associated producers, who are aware of belonging to a high professional company.Year by year, the Cooperativa Granfrutta Zani has achieved a desirable experience in national and international fruit markets and this allows them to constantly maintain the high standards required by consumers.
The company has achieved these goals thanks to the use of modern technologies as well as a precise and functional logistics work.The cooperative has now over 600 members in Italy. They farm strawberries, pears, kiwis, peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, apples and persimmons, citrus, melons, watermelons, cherries and vegetables.
Zani
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minguzzi italy
For over 50 years, Spa Consorcio Minguzzi has been concerned about quality: Minguzzi fruit only grows in the best areas, it had a passion for quality: Minguzzi fruit grows only in the best areas, where the experience of thousands of farmers matches with the support of a highly qualified technical staff.
The Minguzzi products are monitored and controlled from the very beginning, to ensure our consumers get 100% safe and healthy products.
Minguzzi philosophy is born from the passion for quality: the products are monitored and controlled in all production areas. Minguzzi selects the better and more resistant varieties, to reduce chemical interventions. For this fruit, Minguzzi is always in accordance with the requirements modern distribution and purchase needs, ensuring:
- High quality standards
- Product healthiness
- Environmental awareness
Minguzzi