After 20 years of breeding and scientific development, the world's first hot climate-tolerant apple variety was launched at the Berlin Fruit Logistica trade show. The brand Tutti has undergone extensive trials and research over the last five years and was a response to the struggles experienced by Spanish growers in hot climates.
“With the world’s climate changing, it’s vital innovative new varieties are developed to withstand high temperatures and enable growers across all major continents to adapt and have sustainable businesses, while providing consumers with great tasting apples – and that’s what Tutti delivers,” said Morgan Rogers, VentureFruit’s General Manager.
“In Spain, challenging growing conditions of extreme day time temperatures of over 40 degrees, combined with warmer nights, is making it difficult to grow apples. Tutti solves this challenge. It has been specifically bred to grow in hot conditions and produce a deliciously light crisp apple, with bright red skin and a rounded sweet fresh flavour. Tutti also grows successfully in different growing conditions, having been tested throughout Europe, including Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and the UK.”
Spain’s Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), New Zealand’s Plant & Food Research, Catalonian fruit producers association Fruit Futur, and T&G Global’s genetics and variety management business, VentureFruit are responsible for the collaboration as part of the Hot Climate Partnership. The partnership also has an extensive pipeline of other apple and pear varieties.
“Addressing the potential impact of climate change on the world’s apple and pear sector is not something one business can do, it takes collaboration, knowledge sharing, commitment and a vision for what is possible,” said Gareth Edgecombe, T&G Global’s Chief Executive.
“Through the dedication of our partnership and testing partners, the Hot Climate Partnership addresses both climate change mitigation and adaptation. Innovative varieties like Tutti can grow in warm and rising temperatures, while at the same time potentially help open up new growing regions which previously may have been unsuitable for growing apples and pears given their climatic conditions. It’s innovative solutions like Tutti™ that our sector needs to meet the evolving needs of our global consumers and customers, and ensure we continue to build a sustainable and resilient sector.”
The new variety is now open for licensing to all growers, fresh produce sales and marketing companies, and plant nurseries.
