F
News
F
T
he
frui
TG
rower
• JAN
u
A
r
Y2017
Launching a successful new apple variety depends on several
factors - itmust have sensory appeal for the consumer, and itmust
be an easy variety to grow andproduce high yields of Class 1 fruit.
w
ith the ongoing reduction in the availability of cropprotection
chemicals, resistance topests anddiseases is also an important
attribute.
i
n 2011, on a visit to thePépinières duValois tree nursery in
f
rance, Nigel Jenner, Technical Director at NormanCollett Ltd,
identified two new varietieswith the potential tobecome
commercially successful. Nigel was immediately impressedby
Nuvar™NC3 (Cabaret™) which had a refreshingly crisp and
balanced flavour with a hint of winter spices andNuvar™NC2
(Stardance™) a firm and juicy bi-coloured applewith an attractive
red stripe. Nigel describes both as ‘growers’ apples’ – easy to crop,
visually attractive, high yielding and resistant to common forms of
scab, having theVf scab resistance gene.
f
rom this initial appraisal, AvalonProduce Ltdobtained commercial exclusivity andplanted
Cabaret™ andStardance™ on several farms for trials. The support of Tesco Technical
Manager John
w
orth for Avalon’s commitment toCabaret™ andStardance™ is a key factor in
the launch of these exciting new varieties.
The 4,500Cabaret™ and10,000Stardance™ trees planted inKent are exclusive toAvalon
Produce and formpart of the continuingdevelopment with Tesco. Michael Joyles of Avalon
Produce added, “This continues the commitment andworkwith Tesco todeliver great
products todelight the
consumer and tobring new
products tomarket.
Cabaret™ has been
developed overmany years
of trials andwas identified
by Tesco’s John
w
orth,
who has once again
overseen the project.” John
w
orth commented,
“Cabaret™ is another fantastic innovation and forms part of our
newproduct development pipeline, in collaborationwithAvalon
Produce, and is certainly one to look out for in the future.
Cabaret™was identified to fill a gap in themarket, whilst providing
consumerswith a fantastic eating experience. Avalon’s experience
with these two varieties todate has been positive and the current
plan is to increase plantings to an initial total of around 20,000
trees of each variety by 2018.
w
e are confident of their success
and anticipate further plantings once they are established in the
marketplace.”
The first Cabaret™went on sale in Tesco inDecember and
Avalon is hoping to sell the first Stardance™ in January. The
currentmarketing strategy placesCabaret™ andStardance™ in
Tesco’s ‘BritishDessert’ pack category, followingSpartan and
Mairac® in the seasonal mix.
Cabaret™ andStardance™ varieties share the same parents -
Saturn xBraeburn - andwere raisedby JohnBreach and his son
Peter, who are delighted that a leadingmarketingdesk and
multiple retailer are supporting them.
8
Tesco support for two new
e
nglish apple varieties
