Names for new apricot varieties inspired by New Zealand’s summer season
A series of new apricot varieties bred in New Zealand have received their commercial brand names inspired by the country’s summer weather.
NZ Summerfresh, the grower cooperative which holds the right to commercialise the NZ Summer series apricots, announced the brand names of the first five varieties in the series. The varieties will be marketed as Summer Spark, Summer Desire, Summer Charm, Summer Passion and Summer Blaze from this season onwards.
“Our apricots reflect the very best of New Zealand’s summer which is long-awaited, much appreciated and enjoyed to the full. Summer series apricots are a notch above other apricot. They have an exceptionally high flavour with a juicy almost crisp texture, intense sweetness and bright colour,” NZ Summerfresh chairman Stephen Darling said.
In 2022, three cultivars from the series (Summer Passion, Summer Blaze and Summer Spark) were released for commercialisation by Plant & Food Research following two decades of research and development into breeding varieties suitable for New Zealand’s unique growing conditions. Summer Desire and Summer Charm will soon be commercialised and early talks are underway for the next generation to be evaluated in coming years.
Under the terms of its exclusive New Zealand commercial licence, NZ Summerfresh can sub-licence to third parties such as growers, nurseries, marketers or distributors with the resulting fruit being sold in New Zealand and throughout the world.
Some 15 growers – predominantly in Central Otago, the heartland of apricot production in New Zealand – are growing the apricots under sub-licence from NZ Summerfresh.
“The apricots are under trial in the traditional areas of Central Otago, from Tarras to Alexandra, Waikerikeri and Manuherikia, as well as some non-traditional areas such as Canterbury and around Christchurch and some trial locations on the North Island,” Darling said.
More than 40,000 trees over 50ha are being produced with Apricot trees reaching full production by year seven or eight.
Darling noted some varieties were demonstrating distinct growth characteristics.
“Summer Blaze is a nice upright tree which is very grower friendly. We’re finding it is ideal to produce a range of cropping wood for repeat cropping. In direct contrast is Summer Passion which is a more free-growing style of tree. We’re continually refining our pruning and thinning strategy to suit the different varieties,” he said.
“Our aim is to improve yield and ensure trees are easier to manage to reduce costs and ensure optimal fruit delivers the best eating experience for consumers.”
Folllowing a favourable blossoming and fruit set period, Darling estimated approximately 250 tonnes of NZ Summer apricots would be produced this summer, with plans to export 140 tonnes and distribute 110 tonnes to the New Zealand market.
“We look forward to working with New Zealand retailers to gain consumer awareness of the Summer series. New Zealanders should be proud that apricots as great-tasting as these were bred right here.”
Summer apricots will be available from December to late February.
