Scott Bros, Pinnacle Fine Foods partner to export Tiger Fuji apples to Taiwan

AUSTRALIA – Tasmanian apple growers Scott Bros and Pinnacle Fine Foods have joined forces to export their combined volume of Tiger Fuji apples to Taiwan.

This collaboration, managed by exporter Hansen Orchards, marks a significant step for Tasmania’s apple industry as it continues to seek new markets.

The Tiger Fuji variety, owned by Scott Bros, has been cultivated in Tasmania for approximately ten years.

The island’s cool temperate climate has proven ideal for growing this apple variety, allowing the fruit to remain on the tree longer, which enhances its flavor, size, and color. Additionally, the climate enables the apples to store well, making them suitable for export.

By combining their resources, Scott Bros and Pinnacle Fine Foods ensured a sufficient volume of large-sized, high-quality Tiger Fuji apples for export.

The first container left Scott Bros’ farm in the Huon Valley in July, followed by a second shipment from Pinnacle Fine Foods in the Tamar Valley.

Peter Cornish, Chief Executive of Fruit Growers Tasmania, highlighted the importance of such collaborations in the current challenging market.

“The apple business is very challenging at the moment, but as usual Tasmanian fruit growers draw on their ingenuity and grit to keep identifying new commercial pathways,” Cornish stated.

Hansen Orchards played a crucial role in launching the Tiger Fuji apples in Taiwan ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The marketing efforts included apple displays, in-store tastings, and social media promotions by local influencers.

Fruit Growers Tasmania and the international apple co-promotion program run by Hort Innovation also provided additional promotional support.

To coincide with the arrival of the second container, Andrew Scott from Scott Bros visited retail stores in Taipei. His visit was aimed at engaging directly with retailers and customers, sharing insights about the product.

“There was significant interest in our fruit, and I was pleased how well our apples compared with others I saw. Ours looked and tasted fresh and crisp to the bite,” Scott remarked.

However, Scott also noted a significant challenge in the form of Taiwan’s 20 percent import tariff on Australian apples.

“It’s a huge cost disadvantage and one that many of our competitors, such as New Zealand, don’t face,” he explained.

Taiwan imports around 135,000 tonnes of apples each year, primarily from the US, New Zealand, Chile, and Japan.

Tasmania’s pest-free area status has allowed it to gain export access to Taiwan without the need for phytosanitary treatments, giving it a competitive edge in terms of product quality.

Peter Cornish expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the growers. “This is a tremendous example of grower collaboration and hats off to these growers who keep finding a way,” he said.

“As an industry body, we will keep supporting their efforts by promoting Tasmanian fruit and its outstanding quality and taste.”