The State's apple industry has celebrated the first export shipment of Western Australian-bred Bravo branded apples to Singapore. The apples, grown and packed in the Manjimup region, are destined for food markets and leading supermarkets in Singapore.
This trial consignment is part of work by the WA apple industry, with funding support from the State Government, to bring the Bravo apple to the world, helping to grow the sector and create new jobs in the regions.
Fruit West Co-operative is managing the commercialisation of the variety in Australia and has been granted $440,000 through the Agricultural Sciences Research and Development Fund to support export development.
The apple, distinguishable for its rich burgundy colour, is from the variety ANABP 01 which was bred at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's research facilities in Manjimup.
In its second year of commercial sales, the variety has had strong uptake from the apple industry with more than 60 growers across Australia planting the variety in their orchards.
Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister, Alannah MacTiernan:
"Today's trial shipment marks an important step towards targeting export opportunities for our apple industry to expand into the Asian market, creating new job opportunities in WA's South-West region.
"Singapore is a highly valued and mature market for our State's agricultural industry, with consumers and importers in this market familiar with Western Australian produce."
source: mediastatements.wa.gov.au
