Tasmanian growers combine supply of Tiger Fuji to launch the variety in Taiwan ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival
Tasmanian apple growers Scott Bros and Pinnacle Fine Foods have joined forces to export their combined volume of Tiger Fuji apples to Taiwan through exporter Hansen Orchards.
Peter Cornish, chief executive of Fruit Growers Tasmania said: “The apple business is very challenging at the moment, but as usual Tasmanian fruit growers draw on their ingenuity and grit to keep identifying new commercial pathways”.
The Tiger Fuji variety is owned by Scott Bros and has been grown in Tasmania for around ten years. It grows well in Tasmania due to the cool temperate climate, which allows fruit to stay on the tree for longer to fully develop flavour, size and colour. The temperate climate also means the apples store particularly well, making them ideal for export.
By combining their efforts, Scott Bros and Pinnacle Fine Foods were able to ensure there was a sufficient volume of large-sized, quality fruit for export. The first container was sent from Scott Bros in the Huon valley in July and the second from Pinnacle Fine Foods in the Tamar Valley.
Hansen Orchards worked with local retailers to launch the Tiger Fuji apples in the lead up to the Mid-Autumn Festival in Taiwan. Marketing activities included apple displays, in-store tastings and social media posts by local social media influencers. Additional promotional support was provided by Fruit Growers Tasmania and the international apple co-promotion programme run by Hort Innovation.
To coincide with the second container arriving, Andrew Scott from Scott Bros visited Taipei retail stores to speak with the retailers and their customers about the product.
“There was significant interest in our fruit, and I was pleased how well our apples compared with others I saw. Ours looked and tasted fresh and crisp to the bite,” he said.
“I think the only barrier to us having success in the Taiwan market is the import tariff of 20 per cent on Australian apples. It’s a huge cost disadvantage and one that many of our competitors, such as New Zealand, don’t face.”
According to Fruit Growers Tasmania, Taiwan imports about 135,000 tonnes of apples each year largely from the US, New Zealand, Chile, and Japan. Tasmania has gained export access to Taiwan due to its pest free area status, which means it is not required to undertake phytosanitary treatments.
“This is a tremendous example of grower collaboration and hats off to these growers who keep finding a way,” Cornish said. “As an industry body, we will keep supporting their efforts by promoting Tasmanian fruit and its outstanding quality and taste.”
