Kingston said a new apple like the Joli represented over a decade of breeding, testing and growing before it could be brought to market.
“When it succeeds, the value is felt well beyond the orchard – by growers, regional communities, customers and the national economy.”
He said T&G’s other premium apple variety, the Envy, had shown how New Zealand innovation can create value in global markets – having this year surpassed $1 billion in global sales.
While overall global apple consumption is growing modestly, the premium apple category is expanding, driven by consumers willing to pay more for brands they trust to consistently deliver a superior eating experience.
Between 2025 and 2030, the global premium apple category is expected to grow from US$13b ($22.3b) to US$19b, representing a compound annual growth rate of almost 8%.
Kingston said the company had big plans for Joli and aimed to significantly increase production in New Zealand by 2030.
He said, to achieve that, T&G was encouraging growers in regions such as Marlborough to consider diversifying into planting Joli apples.
The apple is now being grown on the Canterbury Plains and T&G has licensed 273ha of Joli apples in Aotearoa New Zealand, with plans to boost this to 1500ha globally by 2035.
– RNZ