The variety called Honey Belle was until recently grown exclusively in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, but Oakmoor Orchards’ Rocky Varapodio has become the first grower in the country to produce the variety.
The pear, apple and stone fruit grower will supply the first commercial quantity of the variety, about 45 tonnes, to Coles supermarkets.
“The trees are growing well and developing to expectation,” Mr Varapodio said.
“We harvested a small amount in 2020 and now commercial volumes early this year.
“With increasing yields, we expect to reach full production in 2024.
“In terms of quality and eating experience, the pears are living up to their expectation as the sweet, crunchy, snacking pear ready to eat straight off the shelf.”
Mr Varapodio started with the variety in 2017 after receiving a $500,000 grant from Coles to establish an innovative 13 ha orchard in Ardmona.
Coles fresh produce category manager Lauren Benjamin said Coles expects to extend the Honey Belle pear to additional states next year and increase volumes to 200 tonnes by 2022.
“It’s great to see innovation like this in the Goulburn Valley with the whole team at Oakmoor Orchards working very hard using world’s best practice to develop, grow and harvest this new variety,” Ms Benjamin said.
The Honey Belle descends from an old French pear and is popular in Asia due to its small size, durability in transport and sweet taste.
Established in 1937, Oakmoor Orchards has been operating for three generations at Ardmona and grows pears, stone fruit and apples.
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