Local consumers can enjoy more of the iconic dark burgundy Bravo apples developed in Western Australia, with one million more kilograms of the delicious fruit set to be produced this year.
Harvest of the distinctive fruit is now underway at orchards in the Perth Hills, Manjimup and Donnybrook, which is predicted to see a significant increase in availability as plantings expand and trees mature.
About 3,000 tonnes of the fruit, produced from the variety known as ANABP 01 that meets the grade to be branded as Bravo, will be picked across Australia over the next four weeks.
While supplies in local retail stores will increase in coming weeks, the appealing apple has also struck a chord with overseas customers with Bravo apples securing a slice of the high end retail market in Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong.
This is just the sixth harvest of Bravo apples, which were developed in WA over two decades by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development which continues to work on new varieties via the Australian National Apple Breeding program.
Bravo apples can be identified in retail stores by their distinctive deep burgundy colour, bearing the blue Bravo sticker - supported by the State's Buy West Eat Best marketing initiative.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Production of WA's favourite apple is rapidly picking up and gaining popularity across Australia and beyond.
"There are now 26 Bravo apple producers in WA, while plantings of the variety are increasing in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland.
"Bravo apples have a proud local history, developed from the same breeding program that was responsible for the Cripps Pink and Cripps Red apples, marketed as Pink Lady and Sundowner.
"With Bravo apples now in season and fresh Bravos about to hit supermarket shelves, we encourage all Western Australians to sink their teeth into this truly local and totally delectable fruit."
