2026Estonian Raspberry Aita & Raspberry Beetle - Set

The Estonian raspberry variety Aita (Rubus idaeus ‘Aita’) was bred by Johannes Parksepp and Asta-Virve Libek in Polli. It is an early-ripening raspberry with large, round, light-red fruits that are well-formed from drupelets, ensuring good harvestability and handling quality. The bush itself has medium vigor, light-brown stems, young shoots that are light green, and few thorns. The variety is highly winter-hardy and productive, with good resistance to anthracnose and fairly good resistance to raspberry cane blight. Thanks to these qualities, “Aita” is well suited for both home gardens and commercial cultivation in Estonia, representing an important part of the local berry culture and preserving the country’s food heritage. However, the raspberry is threatened by the raspberry beetle (Byturus tomentosus), a common pest in Estonia, whose larvae damage flowers and fruits, weakening plants and reducing yield quality.