AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - VentureFruit™, a T&G Global company, is working with several partners in the supply chain to bring hot climate-tolerant apple and pear varieties to market. Last month, representatives from the VentureFruit team and its Hot Climate Programme (HCP) partners, Plant & Food Research, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), and Fruit Futur, welcomed new and existing testing partners to gather in Spain to discuss the need for varieties that can adapt to climate change conditions.
“VentureFruit invests extensively in consumer research in key markets globally to understand consumers' perception of sensory attributes relative to benchmarks, to explore product and brand positioning, and to inform future breeding objectives. By doing this, we optimize the value proposition of each variety and of the program as a whole,” says Kate James, Business Development Manager, VentureFruit.
According to a press release, attendees from 13 countries and more than 35 fresh produce companies gave a strong validation of the global focus and demand for resilient pipfruit (apple and pear) varieties. The varieties that were evaluated were those closest to commercialization opportunities. These include advanced selections that have grower benefits through harvest dates, improved pack outs of marketable fruit, reduction in waste and harvest costs, and consumer expectations of a consistently great eating experience.
As the company noted, hot climate-tolerant varieties will be increasingly in demand worldwide, and VentureFruit is looking to develop its global network of testing partners who will have access to all varieties for growing and evaluation within their respective territories.
What does this mean for growers? The hope is that assessing these new varietals will bring new varieties able to withstand hot climates and offer resilience, ensuring the trees produce high-quality fruit to meet production, supply, and market requirements.
Across both apples and pears, suitable varieties are continuing to be identified and added to the development pipeline.
In 2023, VentureFruit plans to announce exciting developments for a new apple variety, “HOT84A1.”
As we look to the future, we must be ready to adapt. Stay tuned to us at AndNowUKnow for the latest on innovations, strategies, and more.
