T&G Fresh has released a new variety of mandarin which will see the fruit on supermarket shelves all year round.
Photo: Supplied / T & G Fresh
The Afourer variety which is seedless, with a richer orange colour, and slightly sweeter taste than the Satsuma is harvested between September and December.
T&G Fresh general manager of diversified crops Rob Fisher said after the Satsuma mandarin season wraps up in July, the new Afourer mandarin opens up a new seasonal window.
"It's great to add the tasty Afourer mandarin into our wider citrus family. By introducing a new variety, we can offer mandarins to our customers for most of the year, and we've now got a different tasting mandarin available in the warmer months leading up to summer."
T&G Fresh invested in Afourer mandarin production in 2018, by converting 20 hectares of Afourer mandarin trees in Kerikeri, which is the only commercial Afourer crop in Northland, Fisher said.
It is expected 150 tonnes of the new variety will be distributed this year and that will increase to 500 tonnes by 2025.
