New Zealand summer has inspired the commercial brand names for a series of exclusive apricots distributed by NZ Summerfresh Ltd. to local and international markets.
The cooperative NZ Summerfresh Ltd holds the exclusive New Zealand rights to commercialise NZ Summer series apricots specially bred in New Zealand and has announced the brand names of the first five varieties.
From this season onwards, they will be marketed as Summer Spark, Summer Desire, Summer Charm, Summer Passion, and Summer Blaze.
“Our apricots reflect the very best of New Zealand’s summer, which is long-awaited, much appreciated, and enjoyed to the fullest,” said NZ Summerfresh chairman Stephen Darling.
“Summer series apricots are a notch above other apricots. They have an exceptionally high flavour with a juicy, almost crisp texture, intense sweetness and bright colour.”
In 2022, Plant and Food Research released three cultivars from the series for commercialisation following two decades of research and development into breeding varieties suitable for New Zealand’s unique growing conditions.
Summer Desire and Summer Charm will soon be commercialised, and early talks are underway for the next generation to be evaluated in the coming years.
Under the terms of its exclusive New Zealand commercial licence, NZ Summerfresh can sub-licence to third parties such as growers, nurseries, marketers, or distributors, and the resulting fruit can be sold in New Zealand and throughout the world.
NZ Summerfresh Ltd formed a grower’s cooperative in 2022 to commercialise the proprietary varieties for export and domestic consumption. It has an open-door policy and encourages summerfruit growers to join and choose from various models (grower-only, grower-packer, and integrated grower-packer-marketer).
Darling has high hopes for the Summer series apricots. Some 15 growers, predominantly in Central Otago, the heartland of apricot production in New Zealand, have grown the apricots under a sub-licence from NZ Summerfresh.
“The apricots are under trial in the traditional areas of Central Otago, from Tarras to Alexandra, Waikerikeri and Manuherikia, as well as some non-traditional areas such as Canterbury and around Christchurch and some trial locations on the North Island.”
He said more than 40,000 trees and over 50 hectares of land are being produced, and apricot trees will reach full production by year seven or eight. Some varieties demonstrated distinct growth characteristics.
“Summer Blaze is a nice upright tree which is very grower friendly. We’re finding it is ideal to produce a range of cropping wood for repeat cropping. In direct contrast is Summer Passion which is a more free-growing style of tree. We’re continually refining our pruning and thinning strategy to suit the different varieties.”
Darling added that the aim was to improve yield, ensure trees were easier to manage, reduce costs, and ensure optimal fruit delivered the best eating experience for consumers.
Following a favourable blossoming and fruit set period, Darling estimated approximately 250 tonnes of NZ Summer apricots would be produced this summer, with plans to export 140 tonnes and distribute 110 tonnes to the New Zealand market.
“We look forward to working with New Zealand retailers to gain consumer awareness of the Summer series. New Zealanders should be proud that apricots as great-tasting as these were bred right here.”
Plant and Food Research owns the varieties and obtains Plant Variety Rights in New Zealand and offshore. Licensing these varieties to NZ Summerfresh was a natural progression of the long association between the research institute and the wider summerfruit industry.
Summerfruit New Zealand invested in the summer breeding programme with Plant and Food Research to create innovative new varieties with intense flavour and excellent eating quality.
"New Zealand has long been known for its innovative cultivars, which are bred for our environment and deliver delicious fruit that consumers want to eat," said the general manager of science's new cultivar innovation, Dr Zac Hanley.
"These new apricots are no exception, and we look forward to seeing Summer series apricots on the supermarket shelves both here and overseas.”
Summer apricots will be available from December to late February.
