A New Zealand-bred apple variety launched less than four years ago is now being exported to over 10 countries with volumes of the fruit forecast to almost double this season.
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Plant and Food Research reports –
Sassy™ is an apple with personality to match its name – crisp, juicy, and full of flavour, with an eye-catching block red skin and a satisfyingly zesty crunch. Bred and developed over 12 years by Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute, Sassy™ started being sold in small volumes by New Zealand fruit company Next Generation Apples (NGA) in 2022.
The new apple variety was introduced to the market by Prevar, a joint venture between Plant & Food Research, New Zealand Apples and Pears Inc and Apples and Pears Australia Ltd established to commercialise new apple and pear varieties. The global license is held by NGA, a joint venture between long-standing family growers Golden Bay Fruit and Taylor Corp, who are working together to bring Sassy™ to consumers worldwide.
Sassy™ has been developed to meet both consumer desires and grower needs: vibrant colour, a crisp bite,
excellent flavour, early ripening, long storage and shelf life, and natural resilience in the orchard.
Evan Heywood, chief executive of Next Generation Apples, says the volume of fruit grown in New Zealand is set to climb steadily. Starting at just under 50,000 kilos of fruit in 2022 to over one million kilos in 2024, by the end of 2025, Sassy™ is forecast to approach 1.8 million kilos, or 85 containers.
To ensure year-round availability and protect brand integrity, NGA has signed strategic agreements with key
regional partners – with Sassy™ apples now being tested for commercial plantings not only in New Zealand but in South Africa, China, Europe and in the UK, where leading fruit supplier Mansfields has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement and commenced commercial planting of Sassy™ trees.
“Entering into this exclusive agreement is an exciting opportunity for us to work in partnership with NGA,” says Mansfields owner Paul Mansfield. “Planting 100,000 trees in the UK underpins our ambition to supply Sassy™apples year-round.” The Sassy™ taste profile has proven popular in the UK, with major retailers including Tesco and Marks & Spencer already stocking New Zealand-grown Sassy™.
“We’ll be working closely with our global licensee family to ensure brand and quality standards are upheld as we expand” explains Evan Heywood. “This is a variety with long-term potential, and we’re in it for the long game.”
“Some apples struggle to produce colour in hot temperatures because high heat can inhibit the development of red pigments. At Plant & Food Research we are focused on developing varieties that will perform well in rising temperatures, supporting the industry with climate change resilience.”
Dr Volz says after years of breeding work it’s extremely rewarding to see Sassy’s growing presence in the market.
“It’s the kind of success that reminds us why we do this work, to create varieties that truly make a difference for growers, exporters, and consumers.”
Sassy™ won the Primary Sector Award at the 2024 New Zealand Food Awards. This award recognizes excellence in food production.
Source: Plant and Food Research
