Industry Leadership

Over 34 years McGinnis Berry Crops Limited has evolved by leading the introduction of new and novel varieties of black, red, white and pink currants and gooseberries. From the first importation of Ben Lomond in 1977 the company has been very active in implementing a strategy to scout out the best North American material available, develop close relationships with the world's best and most active breeders and launch our own black currant breeding program focused on hybrids that are immune to White Pine Blister Rust, resistant to mildew, have high yields and outstanding fruit qualities.

In 1994 Canada brought in a quarantine system for preventing the introduction of gall mite and reversion disease from other parts of the world. Some of the varieties introduced from Europe were brought in before the quarantine was imposed and others were brought in through at least a three year quarantine and high cost to our company.

Now we are are totally focused on a few varieties that are of value to commercial growers, whether harvesting by hand or machine. Also, we no longer propagate gooseberry plants.

Here are a few lists of those varieties that we, McGinnis Berry Crops Limited, were first to introduce to North America:

Black Currants
British Columbia (from our breeding program)
Blackcomb
Tahsis
Whistler
France
Andega
Tifon
Troll
Norway
Kristin
Narve Viking
Victor Viking
Poland
Tiben
Tisel
Russia
Azhurnaja
Ekzotica
Gamma
Grace
Keepiana
Lentiay
Muravushka
Orlovskaya Serenda
Orlovsky Vals
Zusha
Scotland
Ben Lomond
Slovakia
Otelo
Viola
Red, White, & Pink Currants
Belgium
Albatross (white)
Pink Champagne
France
Junifer
Netherlands
Rosetta
Rotet
Scotland
Redstart
Slovakia
Blanka (white)
Detvan
Hron
Marathon
Primus (white)
Tatran
Gooseberries
Belgium
Hot Gossip
Rochus
Woodpecker
England
Black Velvet
Leveller
Pax
Scotland
Greenfinch
Invicta
Switzerland
Mucherines
Reflamba
Rolanda
Tixia
Xenia
Russia
Bajana
Gazzelle
Ustina