Rubigold is not a type of apple all Australians would be familiar with, such as Royal Gala or Pink Lady, but this Tasmanian grown, naturally occurring hybrid first discovered 14 years ago is making its mark on China following its launch there. Grower Dane Griggs, and his brother Brett, of BW Griggs & Sons, have just sent the first 40 tonnes of fruit to China, due to arrive by May 19. It is in addition to 120 tonnes that have been pre-sold between Guangzhau, Beijing and Shanghai. The shipment is the largest lot of Australian apples to be sent to China since the recent free trade agreement permits exports from Tasmania to China.
Mr Griggs hopes that this is the start of a long-term relationship, as the premium market in China and South East Asia is attracted to the ‘clean, green’ reputation of Tasmanian produce. “We’ve grown apples here for six generations, and this one seemed to tick all the boxes,” says Mr Griggs. “It colours beautifully without the need for reflective matting. It self thins, travels well and stores well.” In Hong Kong shipments can be on the shelves in as little as three days from when they leave Australia, as Mr Griggs discovered on his recent trip. He says he arrived just one day before the boxes of apples he’d sent, and saw them on the shelves.
Food security is such an issue in Asia, Mr Griggs says, that the “Tasmanian Origin” selling point works well. “It’s being marketed as a delicious burst of pure Tasmanian freshness in every bite,” he says.
The idea is that Rubigold will only be grown in Tasmania, and Mr Griggs has secured exclusive breeding rights and trademark rights to the name. “We discovered it in Tasmania and we intend to keep it in Tasmania. We only grow about 300 tonnes at the moment, so we’re promoting it to the premium market.”
The Vietnam market is also keen for more Rubigold apples, Mr Griggs says, after his first shipments there were a success, but had to be stopped when Australian imports were banned. He hopes that the Vietnam market will be reopened within the next two months, however. Questions asked by Vietnamese authorities have been answered, and a Vietnamese delegation is due to visit Australia ‘soon’ meaning imports could soon be resumed, according to him.
For more information
Dane Griggs
BW Griggs & Sons
Phone: +61417642766
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.rubigold.com.au
