Wish Farms Accelerates Berry Innovation with Breakthrough Raspberry and Blackberry Breeding

Plant City, FL – Plant City based, international grower and year-round marketer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and pineberries, Wish Farms, is proud to share that its proprietary breeding company, Berry Sweet Research (BSR), is advancing quickly toward commercialization of new varieties. Entering its fourth year of rigorous seedling evaluation, BSR is setting new benchmarks in innovation, flavor, and performance in its mission of developing premium raspberry and blackberry varieties.

At the helm is Carlos Fear, a renowned plant breeder and horticulturalist with thirty-five years of industry experience. Fear spent much of his career at Driscoll’s, where he played a pivotal role developing industry leading berry varieties. He is the inventor or co-inventor on thirty-five patents spanning raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.

“We are well on our way to breed and license superior proprietary genetics,” said Carlos Fear. “All of our efforts are driven by developing exceptional flavor through the understanding of chemistry, molecular genetics, germplasm, sensory analysis, and optimization of production practices.”

Each year, BSR assesses 10,000 seedlings, and advances approximately one-hundred elite selections for further evaluation across three strategic trial locations in California and Mexico. Selections are chosen based on exceptional yield, superior postharvest performance, and standout flavor criteria that reflect the evolving demands of growers, retailers, and consumers.

Wish Farms Chief Operating Officer, James Peterson: “Carlos and his team bring unique skill set, expertise, and vision to our genetic initiatives. The program’s momentum continues to build, as results from our 2025 raspberry test plots show outstanding promise.”

BSR is preparing to launch full tunnel pre-commercial trials by 2026, featuring two standout raspberry selections. BSR anticipates expanding pre-commercial trials to include two to four selections with growers, paving the way for the release of up to two top-performing varieties for commercial production in 2027.

BSR is committed to delivering varieties that not only meet the highest standards of quality and consistency but also empower growers with genetics that thrive in diverse environments.

About Berry Sweet Research

Berry Sweet Research (BSR) is a cutting-edge breeding company, exclusively partnered with Wish Farms, focused on developing proprietary raspberry and blackberry varieties tailored for premium flavor, high yield, and strong postharvest performance. With trial sites in California and Mexico, BSR is shaping the future of berry production through innovation and collaboration.

About Wish Farms

Feel Good. Eat Berries. Make A Difference.

Giving back is woven into the fabric of Wish Farms through the Wish Farms Family Foundation, which dedicates a portion of profits to its core pillars: Food Insecurity, Youth Education, Health, and Community.

Founded in 1922, Wish Farms is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated business. As a year-round supplier of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and Pink-A-Boo® Pineberries, Wish Farms combines tradition with innovation. Its proprietary breeding program is at the forefront of flavor development and promises to deliver unique varieties that delight consumers, setting new standards in the industry.

To learn more, visit: www.wishfarms.com