Galilea Tomato: The Untold Story Behind Its Global Success
The Hazera Tomato team was taken by surprise when their determinate open field variety, Galilea, became a long-standing blockbuster. It is because Hazera was traditionally known for its indeterminate greenhouse varieties and globally grown round tomatoes.
Launched 15 years ago in Mexico, Galilea significantly impacted global tomato cultivation with its large fruits and robust plants, allowing for high yields and quality previously unseen in open field tomato productions.
Building on Galilea’s success in Mexico, the tomato team took a leap of faith and introduced Galilea in different parts of the world, where with its properties, Galilea overshadowed local varieties. Let’s have a look at some success highlights:
In California, Galilea is cultivated as a bush or staked and is sold in many American retail stores.
In the Ethiopian market, Galilea had such a successful launch that it became synonymous with quality tomatoes. The firmness and low juice content of the fruit made Galilea ideal for transportation, a critical factor for local farmers and traders.
Galilea revolutionized Turkey’s summer tomato market. Initially, the Turkish market was characterized by low quality varieties, but it became evident that growers who had experience with Galilea were willing to invest more in its quality seeds as they were able to charge a premium price for the produce.
“From the beginning Galilea gave us the feeling that it was going to be a blockbuster variety. We recognized that customers were coming to us instead of us having to go to them. We didn’t need to invest heavily in marketing or promotion because the variety spoke for itself.” ~ The marketing team.
Despite its success, Galilea faced challenges in certain regions due to emerging fungi and viruses. This recognition led to investing the expertise and efforts of our R&D team into finding solutions to these challenges. Our R&D and team of breeders developed several new commercial hybrids resulting in the birth of the “Galilea family,” which fights against Fusarium 3 fungus, Powdery Mildew, and TY virus. All while preserving the superior genetics and fruit qualities of Galilea and keeping its position as a versatile choice for growers.
“Galilea is the variety that made Hazera one of the leaders in the world’s open field tomato segment.” ~ Ezri Peleg, Global Breeding Lead for Tomatoes.
Adding on its success, in 2020, Galilea achieved a remarkable milestone by recording the highest sales for a single variety and by being sold in almost 40 countries. This achievement underscored Galilea’s status as the leading tomato variety in sales, bringing pride and a sense of accomplishment to everyone involved in its development and cultivation.
Galilea’s success story is a testament to the power of targeted breeding programs and the adaptability to diverse agricultural challenges. Its high yield, exceptional quality, and robust resistance to various diseases have set new standards in tomato cultivation globally, ensuring its continued dominance and popularity in the market.
Would you like to learn more about Galilea? Don’t hesitate to contact us.
Hazera’s Brand Story: Through Clara’s Eyes
Clara Segura, has been a Tomato Breeding Lead and breeder at Hazera since 2011. Her role involves developing new beef and intermediate tomato varieties that are resilient, high-yielding, and adapted to various growing conditions.
How does Hazera’s brand story have an impact on your day to day?
“As a biologist, Hazera’s brand story profoundly influences my daily work. It reminds me to look to nature for inspiration and solutions, fostering a deep respect for the natural world. This perspective drives me to develop sustainable varieties that benefit both our growers and the environment.”
Can you share a project when you felt this pillar: Inspired by Nature in action?
“One memorable project was our collaboration with local growers to develop a new variety adapted to early Spring planting, following exactly the most important requirements they expressed: big fruit size, good cold adaptability and earliness. Seeing the growers’ enthusiasm and the thriving crops was a powerful reminder of how our work being inspired by nature can create tangible benefits for growers.”
What motivates you most about being part of Hazera’s journey?
“What motivates me the most is the opportunity to make a positive impact on global food security. Knowing that our innovative solutions help growers around the world grow healthier, more resilient crops is incredibly fulfilling and drives me to continue pushing the boundaries of agricultural science.”
What excites you the most about Hazera’s future?
“I am most excited about the potential for new technological advancements and sustainable practices that we can integrate into our work. The future holds endless possibilities for enhancing crop resilience and productivity, all while maintaining our commitment to the environment. At Hazera, we are poised to lead the way in creating a sustainable and prosperous future for agriculture.”
Would you like to learn more about our brand story? Contact us!
