Bringing home the Bravo: Manjimup one of three WA towns supplying 40 per cent of national harvest

Manjimup apple producers are helping pave the way for the much-loved Bravo variety to be grown in other countries to build supply and scale to help capture major markets, after eight years of local success. The variety, bred by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development through the Australian National Breeding Program, has proved so popular that the State Government is now eyeing additional export markets. This includes the Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. Manjimup farmers recently wrapped up another successful harvest of the Bravo apples, with their fruit combined with that harvested in the Perth Hills and Donnybrook set to make up 40 per cent of this year’s national harvest. As well as being sold locally, the fruit will be exported to more than five countries with the hope more will come on board. The Bravo apple — which has been marketed as Soluna in some countries — has received a warm reception internationally. Representatives from more than 25 countries recently visited WA and Victoria, as part of the WA Apple Innovation Conference. Manjimup’s Newton Orchards was one of the first commercial growers of the Bravo apple, planting its first crop in 2014. Newton Orchards director Nic Giblett wrapped up Bravo apple harvest last week with 1700 bins. “Bravo that is grown well here where it was bred is simply an outstanding piece of fruit and we believe it could develop to become one of the world’s favourites,” she said. “We’ve got quite a few trees in the ground so we are committed to this apple, however, at the moment we’ve got a lot more work to do, along with variety owners, managers and marketers, to improve bottom line returns to growers. “And that’s pretty hard when many consumers don’t want to pay the same for premium apples that they do for other snack foods.” About 30 WA farmers are growing the variety, which is also grown in Victoria, NSW, SA and QLD. WA Farm Direct national development manager Sean Engelbrecht said up to 15 per cent of this year’s national Bravo harvest would be exported, with demand expected to ”consistently” increase in coming years. “Production in Australia will continue to increase as orchards grow in maturity and the tonnages increase, together with new plantings targeted to supply the growing local and international market,” he said. Bravo apple sales help fund additional WA horticultural research, including the National Apple Breeding program based at the State’s Manjimup Horticulture Research Institute, where more than 55,000 seedlings are being evaluated at the site. Ms Giblett said Newton Orchards were not looking at taking on any further new licensed apple varieties but was a strong supporter of research into climate-proof options for growers. “Commercialising, packing and marketing a new licensed variety is extremely difficult and expensive, and the lion’s share of these costs (outside the actual breeding costs) are borne by growers,” he said. “It takes years and years to get back in the black from planting a new apple and ironing out all the wrinkles, and it’s often frustrating not having any control over your own fruit. “So no, we’re not looking at taking on any further new licensed apple varieties, however, there is definitely a need for research into climate-change proof options, and without attendant royalties and marketing strictures we would be interested in trialling them.” WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said she was delighted to see the potential of WA’s renowned Bravo apples being realised, which would support industry expansion and provide a significant funding injection to local horticulture research. “The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s apple research, together with Fruit West’s efforts to market Bravo apples — here and abroad — will generate enduring benefits for growers, industry and communities. “I encourage apple lovers to join me in enjoying sweet and juicy Bravo apples and to enter the WA Farm Direct competition to win even more of this beautiful, crispy while creamy fruit that is ‘like no other’.”