The first harvest of Kissabel red fleshed apples has begun in Australia. Ifored Consortium member, Montague, has been working on commercial volumes of the varieties in a bid to refresh the apple market.
Unifrutti, Mono Azul, and Dutoit in Chile, Argentina and South Africa respectively, have also seen through the first harvests in the southern hemisphere.
Montague have been growing apples in Taggerty, Victoria and Legana, Tasmania, and will begin commercial trials from 2019-2020.
“The results in Southern Victoria were promising enough to suggest grounds for commercial production of one variety and we will look to bulk up wood for this purpose,” said Montague’s general manager, Rowan Little.
“Initially fruit produced will be targeted to the domestic Australian market, however the Asian markets immediately to our North will also be a focus. We are excited about the potential of the Kissabel range on the market. Australian consumer interest in new fruit brands is strong and the Kissabel range represents a big divergence from the other apple varieties available.”
The apple varieties have varying hues of red/pink flesh, and distinct berry flavours.
