Leading stonefruit grower-marketer to manage growing production with new Unitec line
Montague Farms is gearing up for a record-breaking stonefruit season with a number of supply chain enhancements set to handle a spike in production.
The company is set to grow and pack over 7,000 tonnes of premium stonefruit this season, including a new offering, Color-Cot, a hybrid of a plum and an apricot expected to debut in the second week of December.
Rowan Little, head of strategy and innovation, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season.
“We’re incredibly excited about the 2024 stone fruit season. Not only are we expecting an increase in production as a result of the maturation of our plantings, but the quality of the fruit is truly exceptional this year,” said Little.
“Our team has worked hard over the winter months to deliver improvements to our cooling and packing facilities, we’re ready to deliver some of the best fruit we’ve ever grown.”
At Montague Farm’s Croc Sands facility in Katunga, Victoria, a new cold storage facility which allows fruit to be quickly cooled post-harvest, ensures optimal freshness will be in operation for the first time.
This facility will significantly reduce the time between harvest and packing for fruit harvested, ensuring that the fruit arrives in peak condition to consumers nationwide.
Montague Farms has also commissioned Unitec packing line at its packhouse in Narre Warren North which will double capacity adding a new dimension to the grading accuracy of fruit.
Additionally, for the first time in 2024, Montague Farms will introduce new AI grading technology to its existing lines as part of its partnership with Tomra Foods.
Consumers can also expect the return of Montague Farm’s premium nectarine brand Nectara.
The brand comprises three unique colour-coded sub-categories highlighting the flavour profiles of different nectarine offerings. Sweet Silk is for white nectarines, Tangy Punch and Smooth Honey are for yellow nectarines.
“The colour coding system for Nectara nectarines makes it easier for consumers to identify which flavours they prefer,” the company said in a release.
“These nectarines are exclusively grown and packed by Montague Farms at Narre Warren North, where size, colour, and high Brix levels are carefully managed to deliver the best piece of fruit nature has to offer.”
