New Apricot varieties, bred specifically for producing dried fruit, are providing exciting new opportunities in the dried tree fruit industry.
An extensive, long-term breeding program run by the South Australian Research and Development Institute has recently produced two new varieties Riverbrite and River Ruby, officially launched at a South Australian Dried Tree Fruits Association event earlier in the year.
The new varieties have been released at a vital moment for the industry, when combined with significant market demand for Australian dried apricots, the efficiencies offered by the new varieties mean growers are anticipating a stronger
return on investment.
"It's a significant step for the industry," said Mr Chris Ellis, General Manager Fruit Supply at Sunbeam Foods, of the release of the new Riverbrite and River Ruby.
Mr Ellis said the decline in the production of dried apricots in Australia could begin to be reversed by the advantages offered by the new varieties.
"The production of dried apricots in Australia has significantly decreased in recent years. Where production was 2,500 tonnes 20 years ago, it has now declined to less than 300 tonnes. There's market potential to take it up to 500 tonnes eventually, and we need to plan ahead. It's a great opportunity, because Australian growers have a stable market supported by consistent pricing.
The new varieties hold one of the keys to increasing the output of the Australian dried apricot industry. One of their significant advantages is that they have been specifically bred to be sized correctly, and are ideal for drying. They produce a large, succulent, thicktype fruit that is quite meaty, and as a more even tree in maturity, they can be targeted to higher density planting.
The fruit also ripens on the trees more consistently. Around 80 per cent can be picked from the ground, significantly reducing labour costs.
The new varieties also require less fresh fruit per dried tonne. Where existing varieties required between 6.5 and 6.8 tones of fresh product per dried tonne, the new varieties requires a little over five. This represents an important increase in
growers' returns.
The launch of these new varieties and further planned releases represents a vital step in what has been a long-term project to revitalise and provide new opportunities to the dried apricot industry. The research team is led by Michael Rettke and Darren Graetz from SARDI and the project is funded through Horticulture Australia Ltd.
The new varieties, bred specifically for the Australian climate, are being planted by growers looking to capitalise on the significant opportunities posed by a supportive market and production efficiencies offering an improved return on investment.
Close Window 