Chinese pay to grow Tasmanian company Tahune Fields Nursery’s Ruby Pink apples

TASMANIAN  innovation is being exported to China in a deal that could generate millions for the state’s fruit sector, while also supporting local people with a disability.

Tahune Fields Operation Manager, Steve Brezinscak with Oak Tasmania CEO John Paton Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

TASMANIAN  innovation is being exported to China in a lucrative deal that could generate millions of dollars for the state’s fruit sector, while also supporting local people with a disability.

Disability enterprise Oak Tasmania, through its subsidiary Tahune Fields Nursery, will license Chinese growers to grow Ruby Pink apples, a type of Pink Lady apple, under an exclusive agreement.

The deal is potentially groundbreaking in that it is not an export of local product, but instead intellectual property, meaning it is centred on the method they use to grow the fruit.

Through the arrangement, they will receive a royalty for every tree, expected to number in the thousands, grown in China.

Premier Will Hodgman, who returned from a China trade mission on Saturday, said it was an example of new business forming from trade with China. “It’s an exciting deal and has the backing of China’s President Xi Jinping,” Mr Hodgman said.

Oak Tasmania chief executive John Paton said the value of the deal could range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars a year.

“The royalties returned to Oak will allow the organisation to expand a range of opportunities within the Tasmanian community,” Mr Paton said.

Oak Tasmania is a not-for-profit organisation that provides support, work and pathways for people with a disability.

Tahune Fields Nursery’s operations manager Steve Brezinscak said there were no Ruby Pink trees in China and the fruit appealed to Chinese consumers and growers.

Tahune Fields Nursery, near Ranelagh, is certified under the Australian Pome Fruit Improvement Program to produce certified virus-free apple and pear nursery trees to Australian growers. It is now extending to export markets.

The nursery sits on 40ha, growing more than 200,000 apple, pear and stone fruit trees annually, which are distributed for planting to local and interstate growers.

Fruit Growers Tasmanian business development manager Phil Pyke described the agreement as fantastic news.

“It’s a potentially big new industry for the fruit industry,” Mr Pyke said.

“There is big demand coming out of China for root stock.

“This could be the beginning of another industry.”

Apple and Pear Australia Ltd chief executive John Dollisson said APAL, which managed the Pink Lady brand, was thrilled.

“APAL is working to build stronger relationships between the Australian and Chinese apple industries to support the development of China’s apple production and to promote Australian apple exports there — this is a great example of our industries working together,” Mr Dollisson said.

“APAL looks forward to supporting the Tahune Fields Nursery and in building the Pink Lady brand worldwide.”

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Originally published as Chinese pay to grow Tasmanian company Tahune Fields Nursery’s Ruby Pink apples