The first container of the new South African stonefruit export season will arrive in the UK this week (week beginning 31 October), with early shipments including a number of special new varieties that will change the face of the South African stonefruit offer, and which experts say will delight consumers.
'We are at the start of a new era in the South African stonefruit business and this season the whole range of new varieties which have been planted over the past few years will finally be making an impact in the market,' said Rory Antrobus of Green Marketing.
The first container shipments will include two new Sunworld varieties that could potentially transform the early season in future.
Gielie Bester, a well-known Capespan stone fruit specialist, said that he is particularly excited about the early peach, called Supechfifteen and branded as part of the Amber Crest range of peaches developed by Sunworld. 'For an early variety this peach eats very well and has a wonderful flavour,' Bester explained.
A new nectarine, Sunectwentyone, which is marketed as part of the branded Super Star range, is also making its commercial debut this week. In the next shipments, UK consumers will also encounter Starborne for the first time, a variety developed by the Stargrow Group that is said to have an excellent sugar-acid ratio, and therefore a strong nectarine flavour.
In the case of both the Sunworld and Stargrow varieties, the emphasis is on developing ranges of cultivars that could be planted and marketed throughout the season.
'The South African stonefruit business is an exciting place to be at the moment,' said Capespan's Niel Hugo. 'We always kicked of the season with products such as Early Grand and Sun Pedro and there is really no comparison between them and what the new ranges offer.'
Green Marketing's Antrobus agreed: 'South Africa has the climate and the reputation of growing excellent tasting fruit and the new varieties will give our industry a boost as never before.'
While there are three new early-season varieties, most of the new varieties will follow during the mid- to late-season periods.
'There are a whole host of breeding programmes which offer growers new opportunities and this will stimulate new interest in the stonefruit business,' Antrobus added.
Niel Hugo explained that Capespan's aim is to find the best climatic conditions to eventually deliver a range of exceptional products throughout the season.
'Gielie Bester is testing varieties with growers over a wide region and because of our diverse climate we will see new products coming through in future, which gives South Africa a whole new standing in the world of stonefruit,' he said.
