Existing processes have been inadequate to satisfy some overseas countries, including Japan, China, the USA, Korea and New Zealand. Pomewest, a sub-committee of the Apple, Citrus and Stone Fruit Committee of the Agricultural Produce Commission, was one of the entities to receive the funding for the purpose of developing a cold chain disinfestation protocol to satisfy the biosecurity requirements of high-value Asian markets.
Pomewest is working in conjunction with the Fruit West Co-operative Ltd on this project, who is licensed to commercialise the ANABP 01 variety and the BRAVO™ apple in Australia.
Announced in early August, eight recipients will receive a total of almost $1.2million through the Agribusiness Innovation Fund,” Pomewest Executive Manager Nardia Stacy said. “We will use the ECG to help gain access to more export markets. Another benefit may be the potential to improve pome fruit shelf life by achieving a 20 per cent reduction in quality deterioration with updated static and in-transit disinfestation techniques. Our end goal, as part of the BRAVO™ apple national commercialisation strategy, is to significantly expand export sales by fine-tuning and implementing disinfestation protocols and methods for fruit fly for all existing and new pome varieties."
Ms Stacy adds that jumping this hurdle would create major opportunities to help growers expand sales of the distinctive BRAVO™ and other apple varieties to these destinations. In addition it is estimated that the ECG project could provide up to $10 million in flow-on benefits to WA pome fruit producers in the longer-term as they gain access to markets currently curbed by quarantine restrictions.
The ANABP 01 variety bearing BRAVO™ fruit was bred in WA by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (formerly the Department of Agriculture and Food WA). It is a sweet, juicy and high-antioxidant apple. It is now grown commercially by more than 70 commercial producers across Australia. The variety has increased its production level as the trees mature. Growers are keen to be able to access more markets to enable more consumers to enjoy high quality fruit grown in Australia.
"Demand is increasing across Australia - as people are getting to taste it, they are loving it," Ms Stacy said. "Why? The unique flavour and striking dark appearance along with the high levels of flavonoids and the impact for heart health. The white flesh is slow to discolour perfect for eating by the slice in lunch boxes, salads and fruit platters. It also stores and keeps extremely well, maintaining its juicy crunch long after other fruits have gone soft."
Shipments have been sent to Dubai this year, where the apple has been extremely well received, and the industry hopes to build on this success with other destinations next season as supply increases.
The BRAVO™ apple is also part of a clinical trial that is currently being conducted, looking into whether the consumption of apples has a direct impact on human well-being by improving cardiovascular health. Volunteers eat an apple each day for four weeks, and researchers measure markers of blood vessel health. “Using genomic data will enable us to really sharpen the breeding strategy to accelerate the selection of high value apples,” University of Western Australia senior research fellow Michael Considine said. “Initially this will target flavonoid content as a ‘pilot’ but progressively the strategy is to develop an economic index of valuable traits, such as crispness, colour and shelf life, as well as fibre and pectin content, which have other health benefits."
For more information:
Nardia Stacy
Pomewest
Phone: +61 8 9368 3869
nardiastacy@fruitwest.com.au
www.fruitwest.com.au
Nardia StacyPomewest
Phone: +61 8 9368 3869
nardiastacy@fruitwest.com.au
www.fruitwest.com.au