TASMANIA’S largest shipment of Australian apples to go to China since the state was granted access to the country in 2010 is now in the shops.
The Rubigold apple was launched in Shanghai, in late April, and three containers of the fruit have now arrived in the country.
Huonville’s BW Griggs and Sons trialled the apples last year and met with initial success.
But part-owner Dane Griggs said the final proof would be in sales.
“You can go through all the paper work and the agreements, but it still comes down to the consumers accepting the product,” Mr Griggs said.
“They have just hit the market now, so we are in this waiting time to see how they are accepted and what the demand is.
“It’s all sounding good but it’s not 100 per cent certain yet,” he said.
The containers went to Shanghai, GuangZhou and Beijing and another load was air freighted into Hong Kong, with sales picking up after last year’s trial shipment.
“At the moment, we have six 40 foot containers, which is 120 tonnes of apples – we have more than that to go, but we still have existing domestic markets we need to keep supplying and want to keep supplying,” Mr Griggs said.
The Griggs have gained PBR (plant breeders rights) and Trademark protection for Rubigold.
“The Chinese want something different – I was in Shanghai several weeks ago, and I saw other apple varieties from all over the world.
“There were Red Delicious form all around the world, Royal Gala from all around the world, and if you go into that market, you are just competing on price with the rest of the world.
“We had to provide something different and Rubigold are only available in Tasmania,” he said.
Rubigold had a story, which the Chinese wanted to hear.
“They love food safety, it’s the biggest issue at the moment, they want something that comes from a safe place.
“We are selling an apple, but we are also selling the Tasmania’s pure and clean environment, as well.”
Rubigold was discovered in one of the Griggs’ orchards, and developed over several seasons.
“It was curiosity, you see it, you graft it, and see what happens,” Mr Griggs said.
“It will come to the point where we don’t have the volume to supply the market, so it will be a niche market, targeting customers who can afford it,” Mr Griggs said.
