The growers of a new apple variety are set to "Dazzle" the fruit world with what they call the biggest apple launch since Royal Gala.
Developed in Havelock North, the Dazzle variety has taken Plant & Food Research nearly 20 years to perfect.
Launched today by Fruitcraft, manager Steve Potbury said the apple will mostly be targeted towards the growing Asian market.
"It has all the qualities which appeal to Asian consumers. It is a big, highly-coloured and very sweet apple."
More than 100,000 Dazzle trees are already being grown by three of New Zealand's largest growers - Mr Apple, Bostock New Zealand and Freshmax.
Fruitcraft is forecasting one million cartoons of the fruit will be exported from the country by 2028, making it one of New Zealand's most popular varieties.
Also known as PremA129, Dazzle has been licensed by Prevar - a joint venture between Pipfruit New Zealand, Apple and Pear Australia, and Plant & Food Research, a Crown research institute.
Plant & Food Research scientist Richard Volz said the apple has been bred conventionally, through cross breeding between "Sweetie" and "Scired" in Havelock North since 1997.
"This has taken decades of work and investment by scientists at Plant and Food Research and the New Zealand pipfruit industry to develop a truly New Zealand apple with strong kiwi heritage,” said Mr Volz.
Prevar commercial manager Snow Hardy said the launch is a 'huge" development for the industry.
"We are encouraging growers to get in behind this new apple variety and support this programme."
Pipfruit New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard said the industry is going from strength to strength.
“We have evolved into a fully integrated industry that is forging ahead with sustainable growth, innovation, leadership and strategic vision.”
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