New apple boosts core business

Tens of thousands of apple trees featuring a new dark-burgundy fruit which was bred in Western Australia, will be planted in orchards around the State this year.

Premier Colin Barnett and Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston got behind WA’s new apple by planting a tree today at a Manjimup orchard.

Mr Barnett said WA growers had shown strong interest in the new apple - dubbed ‘The Black Apple’ during development - which was recently released for commercial planting.

“This new apple has a good balance between sugar and acid, is crisp and guaranteed to stand out on the shop shelves due to its striking dark burgundy colour,” Mr Barnett said.

“About 75,000 trees were made available for sale last month and the majority of these have now been sold to growers in key WA apple growing areas - Manjimup, Donnybrook and Perth Hills. There has also been interest by growers in key fruit growing areas in other parts of Australia.”

Mr Baston said the exciting new apple was bred by the Department of Agriculture and Food, which managed a world-class apple breeding program based in Manjimup.

ANABP 01 is the registered variety name for the new apple and plans are under way to select a suitable retail trademark name for marketing premium fruit. It is a cross between the varieties Cripps Red and Royal Gala.

Mr Baston said members of the public could send their suggestions for a trademark name to the department at Newapplename@agric.wa.gov.au

Small quantities of fruit should be available for sale in 2016.