The Bravo® apple is running slightly late this season, however fruit is expected to be harvested mid-late April around Australia. The harvest will start in Western Australia – Perth Hills or Stanthorpe Queensland.
"We expect volumes to be up 10-15% from the 2022 season however, this is a reduction from the initial forecast as a result of severe weather events throughout the Goulburn Valley," said Rebecca Blackman, Executive Manager at WA Farm Direct which is the Australian license holder for the variety.
"The amount of premium fruit will be impacted due to the wetter weather; overall there is a higher risk of quality issues with the wetter weather and could pose a challenge to the national crop. We are however confident that the growers in the program are managing any issues which may arise to ensure the consumers receive the excellent eating quality of Bravo apples that consumers within Australia, Middle East & Asia are used to."
The variety ANABP 01 which produces Bravo® apples is currently only grown in Australia with active planning around commercialising the variety in selected key territories by TopStar, a co-venture between Star-Fruits (France) and TopFruit (South Africa), together with Australian license holder Fruit West and marketer WA Farm Direct to roll out an effective global development strategy. 
The trademark on Bravo within Europe & the USA was not possible so a decision was made to rebrand the variety outside of Australia to Soluna™. The Soluna™ brand is managed by TopStar Alliance and by Fruit West Cooperative within Australia.
The variety, ANABP 01, was developed by renowned apple breeder John Cripps who also developed the Cripps Pink variety, which has achieved prominence under the Pink Lady brand, in 1992 as part of a West Australian government breeding programme. There are currently more than 90 growers producing the variety in Australia which is sold as Bravo® in Australia and Soluna™ globally.
This next step opens the door for the apple variety to be grown in other countries and its fruit sold under the Soluna™ brand, building supply and scale opportunities to capture major markets.
Australian growers are well placed to capitalise on the international opportunity, as established leaders in the production of the variety which is sold locally under the Bravo® apple brand.
For more information:
Rebecca Blackman
WA Farm Direct
Tel: +61 8 9350 4600
Email: rebecca.blackman@wafarmdirect.com.au