The new apple has not yet been named but is an early variety with picking times typically two weeks ahead of Royal Gala giving growers a significant commercial advantage.

The bright red fruit was discovered by a grower in the Hastings area of New Zealand 10 years ago growing at the top of a Royal Gala tree.

The New Zealand Fruit Tree Company has been appointed global manager for the variety. Plant material has already been sent to other key producing countries, including South Africa and several thousand trees are already waiting to go into the ground.

Fresh New Zealand will be handling marketing and exports and plans to send samples to overseas markets for assessment.