The New Zealand government has revealed that it is investing NZ$10.8 million (£5m) in developing new apple and pear varieties, to fast-track the breeding and commercialisation of new top-fruit products.
Money has been committed by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology to a research partnership between Prevar Ltd and Plant & Food Research for a seven-year period, with Prevar investing a further NZ$10.8m.
The country's minister of research, science and technology Wayne Mapp said in a statement that the topfruit industry remained a crucial part of New Zealand's economy.
"The pipfruit industry is New Zealand's second-largest exporter of fresh fruit," Mapp added. "In 2009 it earned NZ$396m from 68 countries and this investment will further strengthen our commercial advantage over our competitors."
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