Kapiris Bros Managing Director Harry Kapiris says consumers are, “shying away from truss” tomatoes as they search for varieties that offer more versatility.
“They [truss tomato growers] have been struggling with sales,” he says.
“The consumer realises that the only aroma a truss tomato has is in the actual inedible stem. The truss tomato is very watery and not ideal for salads, sandwiches or cooking.”
He says the Entice variety is the main gourmet field grown tomato variety available at this time of year, with the majority currently grown in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley.“There would be in excess of 600-650 hectares in production,” he says. “South Australia was decimated by the extreme heat [this season] and as a result, quantities out of that area at the moment are insignificant.”
Mr Kapiris estimates the current season will yield between 3-3.5 million cartons from the Goulburn region alone, with each carton weighing 10 kilograms.
“South Australia is much harder to estimate because of the very numerous smaller operations. These quantities would be down on last year.”
The Entice variety was developed by Seminis as a gourmet, ground-growing option with consistency in weight (160-180 grams), shape, colour and firmness.
Mr Kapiris says that while it is widely grown now, many trials are being done “to find a replacement” or alternative variety that could be grown around the same time of the year.
He says the current season in Goulburn Valley has been good for them, despite extreme temperatures.
“[Quality is] very good, considering the harsh growing conditions. Extremely hot days and cold nights does not make for an easy growing season.”
Kapiris Bros also grows QLD Pride tomatoes in Bowen Queensland and SA Pride tomatoes in Two Wells, South Australia, with their seasons coming later in the year.
For more information:
Karen Whitener
Kapiris Bros
Tel: +61 3 8401 1000
Email: karenw@kapirisbros.com.au
www.kapirisbros.com.au