Weather wreaks havoc with bottom lines
Weather events like Cyclone Gabrielle that hit over one year ago have landed two of the country's biggest fruit and vegetable traders with massive trading losses.
Developed in New Zealand over the course of ten years, Joli is the result of T&G's IP management and commercialisation business VentureFruit collaborating with innovation company Prevar and breeder Plant & Food Research in New Zealand.
Joli is described by T&G as a firm, but 'explosively juicy and crispy' apple. The initial planting is part of a planned 27 hectares that T&G will plant on its Hawke's Bay orchards over the next three years. A further 100ha will be grown under licence by independent growers across New Zealand, with further orcharding in Europe.
VentureFruit general manager Morgan Rogers says the new apple follows a heritage of releases from T&G. The Joli apple is said to be different, but complementary to the company's current portfolio of Jazz and Envy apples.
Rogers told Hort News that T&G evaluates 100-160 new apples a year and while there is a lot of new apple variety attrition in the market, he is confident in Joli's success.
"We have spent the last several years doing consumer evaluation work not just on taste but also what the variety looks like in more than five key customer markets," he explained. "Following on from that, we also go in and discuss what you're willing to pay for it, how frequently you'll buy it, branding etc. We've not seen a consumer evaluation score as high as this apple for a long time."
Rogers adds that there are different needs for apples.
"Envy's that super sweet, luxurious apple; Jazz is that small, tangy, snack on the run apple; Joli's large and crisp with explosive juice and balanced - not just super sweet - flavour, good for sharing."
T&G Global chief executive Gareth Edgecombe says there has been a high level of interest from Kiwi orchardists interested in growing the new variety. He says a number of growers are now confirmed to receive allocations of Joli tree stock for planting in 2024.
The new apple had been intended to launch this year, but the effects of the cyclone have delayed the rollout until 2024.
"It's fantastic to get the first commercial Joli trees in the ground," Edgecombe adds. "We look forward to having the Joli apples available for consumers to purchase from 2028 onwards."
Joli has been trialled across New Zealand to ensure the trees grow consistently in different environments and cope with various climatic conditions. Edgecombe says that the trees have very strong orcharding attributes and, as Joli begins to commercialise, T&G will closely monitor and evaluate orchards to further inform and assist growers as planting expands in coming seasons.
Rogers told Hort News that VentureFruit is confident in a yield of 100 tons per hectare with 80% pack out rate.
