Company’s chief executive Michael Franks tells NZ Herald its Australian production and development orchards now total around 300ha.
New Zealand’s largest kiwifruit grower, Seeka, continues to expand its production of Nashi pears in Australia, with the addition of a new red variety due for commercial launch in 2025.
“We’re thrilled about it,” the group’s CEO Michael Franks told The New Zealand Herald. “It was developed in New Zealand by Prevar and we’ve picked up the licence.”
As Fruitnet reported last month, the product was unveiled at this year’s Asia Fruit Logistica ahead of its market debut next year.
According to Seeka, the red-skinned variety has a crisp, juicy and crunchy texture and an appealing taste profile.
It is also expected to extend the marketing season to 12 months of the year.
Seeka is reckoned to be Australia’s largest producer of Nashi pears, which it grows on orchards around Shepparton in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley.
According to the company, it has established large plantings of the popular Nijisseiki variety, as well as others called Shinko, Hosui and Haaka.
The group also produces kiwifruit and jujubes in Australia.
In late 2020, Seeka announced the sale and lease back of approximately 100ha of its Australian kiwifruit orchard portfolio.
Located at Bunbartha near Shepparton, the orchard land is understood to have been sold for A$26.5m.
