Long perceived as an invasive species, Reunion pink berries could be massively exported, according to Marie-Rose Séverin. This enthusiast has been advocating for years the idea that the cultivation of pink berries has a promising future in Reunion. However, the shrubs that produce these small fruits cannot be cultivated in large quantities here.
Listen to the report by Reunion la 1ère:
Une parcelle autorisée pour Marie-Rose Marie-Rose Séverin has just obtained permission to plant them experimentally on a plot of land. She also points out that picking these berries helps prevent uncontrollable development of the species.
“I have a derogation, but now I am working more deeply with the DEAL and the DAAF to have a truly experimental plot to show that it will not contaminate all the surroundings because they say it is a plant pest. It’s like the guava, which is also a plant pest, but we have managed to control this production, I would like it to be the same for the pink berry,” declared Marie-Rose Séverin.
Are pink berries the key to luxury perfumes? The president of Caheb supplies major luxury groups that use Reunion pink berries in perfume design. Perfumers’ attraction to this possible future rose gold is growing.
“There is a very strong demand for perfumery, for example Mr. Jacques Cavalier, the master perfumer at Vuitton, would like 90 tons of pink berries, not to mention other perfumers like Maison DSM Firmenich who supply other perfumers,” said Marie-Rose Séverin.
“In 2023, we sent between 100 and 140 tons of berries. Imagine the number of pink berry plants we send to mainland France that do not invade our island! We have expertise in Reunion, our mainland buyers want French products, they do not want them to come from other countries in the Indian Ocean zone. I am proud to be able to export and bring our expertise to these great master perfumers because today in all the perfumes you buy, there is pink berry,” added Marie-Rose Séverin.
Over the past two years, pink berries have suffered from the successive passages of cyclones, with 90 tons harvested last year.
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