- Western Australian bred Bravo apple harvest begins, as national production grows
- Overseas interest to build, following recent international commercialisation
New season supplies of Western Australia’s appealing Bravo apples are about to hit retail shelves across the country, as global interest in the distinctive dark burgundy fruit grows.
Bravo production continues to increase across the country, with about 40 per cent of this year’s national harvest sourced from the Perth Hills, Donnybrook and Manjimup.
Export destinations will expand to include the Philippines, alongside return shipments to Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.
The recent commercialisation of the variety – marketed as Soluna on the international stage – has received a warm reception, paving the way for the variety to be grown in other countries to build supply and scale to capture major markets.
More than 25 interested overseas parties recently visited orchards in WA and Victoria, as part of the WA Apple Innovation Conference, providing confidence in taking Soluna to the world.
The proceeds from commercialisation will be fed back into WA horticulture research, including the National Apple Breeding program based at the State’s Manjimup Horticulture Research Institute.
There are more than 55,000 seedlings being evaluated at the site, from which new, unique and tasty apples are being bred.
For the first time, genetic technology and expertise has been integrated into the breeding program to pinpoint desirable apple characteristics and accelerate the development of new naturally bred lines that are robust and profitable to grow.
Fruit lovers from each Australian State have the chance to win a three month supply of Bravo apples by participating in marketer WA Farm Direct’s social media competition by liking a @bravoapples Facebook or Instagram post and tagging a friend.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
“I am delighted to see the potential of WA’s renowned Bravo apples being realised, which will support industry expansion and provide a significant funding injection to local horticulture research.
“The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s apple research, together with Fruit West’s efforts to market Bravo apples – here and abroad – will generate enduring benefits for growers, industry and communities.
“I encourage apple lovers to join me in enjoying sweet and juicy Bravo apples and to enter the WA Farm Direct competition to win even more of this beautiful, crispy while creamy fruit that is ‘like no other’.”
