A new Australia-first pear variety called Honey Belle, which until recently was grown exclusively in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, is now a feature in Australia’s Goulburn Valley. There, Rocky Varapodio from Oakmoor Orchards has become the first grower in the country to produce the variety.
The pear, apple and stone fruit grower will ship his first commercial load of the variety, about 45 tons, to Coles supermarkets.
Varapodio: “The trees are growing well and developing to expectation. We harvested a small amount in 2020 and now commercial volumes early this year. With increasing yields, we expect to reach full production in 2024. In terms of quality and eating experience, the pears are living up to their expectation as the sweet, crunchy, snacking pear ready to eat straight off the shelf.”
As reported on countrynews.com.au¸ Varapodio started growing the variety in 2017 after receiving a $500,000 grant from Coles to establish an innovative 13 ha orchard in Ardmona.
Photo source: Dreamstime.com
