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Bearing fruit: Start-up raises funds to develop lab-grown fruits and nuts

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 25 Feb 2026, 10:00am
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images

Bearing fruit: Start-up raises funds to develop lab-grown fruits and nuts

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 25 Feb 2026, 10:00am

A Kiwi start-up's labours are bearing fruit. 

‘Forever Harvest’ has raised $1.2 million to grow fruit and nuts in a lab, all year round. 

The project uses cellular agriculture, removing the need for orchards or soil and making production climate resistant.  

Co-Founder Mick Riley told Mike Hosking they’re not looking to replace things like bulk cherries or bulk nectarines, but rather they’re creating a whole new kind of high value ingredient. 

The products would be for commercial use, he says, as they’re not looking to compete in the consumer market. 

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