Apples and pears hit $1b milestone
New Zealand’s apple and pear industry has surpassed $1 billion in orchard gate returns (OGR) for the first time.
The five week, five round online competition spotlighted 32 apple varieties and called on apple fans across the US to pick their favourite.
Throughout March, which is National Nutrition Month, Apple Madness earned at least 31,000 consumer votes, a 20% increase on last year’s inaugural tournament. A few weeks in and candidates had been whittled down to the final four before T&G’s Envy was named the overall winner early this month.
Envy was born using natural plant breeding methods, crossing Braeburn with Royal Gala apples, by Plant and Food Research.
T&G Global now owns the Envy trademark; it first planted it in NZ nine years ago. A year later T&G planted Envy in the US and the horticulture company expects to harvest at least two million cartons in the US alone by 2020.
T&G Global’s executive general manager pipfruit, Darren Drury, is thrilled Envy has been chosen by so many in the US as their favourite apple.
“Envy is selling extremely well in the US and in our other key overseas markets such as Thailand, China and Vietnam,” he says.
“We’re intending to increase global production significantly over the next eight years to keep up with the growing demand for this premium apple.
“New season Envy apples from Hawkes Bay, Nelson and Gisborne are also appearing in NZ stores from this month so Kiwis will also be able to enjoy the apple.”
