Science system shakeup ‘to maximise investment value’
Reaction to the Government’s major overhaul of the country’s seven crown research organisations has so far been largely positive.
NZ Summerfresh Ltd says the new varieties - NZsummer2, NZsummer3 and NZsummer4 - are under trial in Central Otago and parts of the North Island.
Developed by Plant & Food Research and the summerfruit industry, NZ Summerfresh Ltd has been established to commercialise new apricot cultivars under development for nearly two decades.
More than 50,000 trees spanning 60 hectares are under trial in Central Otago and parts of the North Island. The trees are with a mix of long-standing summerfruit producers and newer growers who are trialling the varieties under licence.
“These varieties are substantially better than nearly every other apricot I know of and could be the best in the world, [with] the potential to revitalise and relaunch the premium apricot category on the global stage,” says inaugural NZ Summerfresh Ltd chairman Stephen Darling.
Described as intensely sweet and juicy with a crisper texture and highcolour profile, two varieties (NZsummer2, NZsummer3) store longer to achieve a longer selling period and will target export markets. The other variety (NZsummer4) will target the domestic market.
The varieties will span a successive season from December to late February, with initial market targets of Asia, Australia and the United States.
“Australia is an important market because our season complements Australian product well, arriving after local product, therefore extending the season. Consumers in Asia favour apricots with increased sweetness, low acidity and bright colour – characteristics we deliver,” Darling says.
Initial volumes this summer will be small, with trials sent to key customers and consumers, then growing substantially as more fruit develops, with full production expected from 2025-2027.
NZ Summerfresh Ltd founding director Roger Brownlie, who is also chair of Summerfruit NZ and a grower, says the long journey to commercialisation has been the result of years of hard work across multiple fields.
“It took until 2013 to get to the point that three [varieties] reached the elite stage for evaluation. It has taken three chief executives, teams of Plant & Food scientists, industry collaboration and grower efforts.”
Following its inaugural annual general meeting on August 8, Darling and Brownlie said NZ Summerfresh Ltd would transition to a grower co-operative. The new co-op will commercialise the proprietary varieties for export and domestic consumption from late summer 2022-2023. The aim is to give growers and shareholders the chance to “control their destiny and work for a common benefit”.
Darling says next steps included developing a strategic commercial framework including branding and marketing plans, identifying export markets and establishing optimal harvesting and quality standards.
A growers’ forum is being established to help with technical information and transfer of knowledge, with negotiations underway with Plant & Food Research on a further two apricot varieties.
