And when you do trials, how much is based on science and how much on intuition?
It’s a mix! For me, fruit is a living product. After the first transformation we move to a much more standardised environment where we can isolate the variables. But in fruit farming, there are innumerable variables, and we risk getting lost while wanting rational and scientific reasoning at all costs. We need science, but we also function a lot by instinct. For this, it’s important to be surrounded by trusted people who may call you to say, “listen, I tasted something you should try”. This sometimes works just as well as academic methods.
What’s on the horizon for the Amont Fruitier strategy?
The Amont Fruitier strategy is about the long term. Our horizons are dictated by the fruit: you have to wait 5 years after planting a seed to get a fruit, or 7 years for citrus. Therefore, we need patience to build a fruit heritage that will be sustainable. Its power comes from the human network that we’re building, from our knowledge of different varieties and our expertise.. We want to connect the Amont Fruitier even more to the rest of the sector, to communicate the challenges that motivate us, to bring people in, to allow them to taste new flavours, to share our passion.
