Cherries from leading European breeding programmes, Gräb, JKI and Schwitzky, will be grown in Australia
The Freshmax Group, through its independent innovation business Innovar, has commenced a project to test and develop a suite of proprietary cherry varieties with key partners across Australia’s premier cherry growing regions.
Innovar has licensed and introduced material from three leading European breeding programmes — Gräb, JKI and Schwitzky — offering a broad spectrum of varieties spanning early to very late season harvest windows. The portfolio is characterised by high Brix levels, firm texture and export-ready shelf-life, aligning with the growing global demand for premium cherry varieties.
The Gräb KIR programme, developed in Kettig, Germany, is a leading late-to-very-late season cherry programme, featuring varieties such as Volcano and Lamour. The Gräb portfolio offers a suite of season-extending cultivars, boasting sweet flavour profiles and firm, large fruit. Gräb material is now in early commercial production in Tasmania and in southern states.
Likewise, a selection of varieties from Juluis Kühn-Institut (JKI), has now been released for testing in Australia. The JKI material offers highly-productive Kordia replacement opportunities in early to mid-season windows. Schwitzky offers two intensely sweet, long-stemmed selections from an innovative breeding programme in Beesenstedt, Germany. Schwitzky material is now being imported into Australia and other territories.
Innovar specialises in licensing and commercialising leading new varieties across global markets, with a core focus on cherries, avocados, berryfruit, stonefruit, apples and pears. It will deploy a similar collaborative platform model to one that has delivered strong uptake and results in New Zealand.
Innovar is working directly with key growers and partners through a semi-exclusive commercial licensing model to promote transparency and equitable access to a growing portfolio of material. It aims to continue to add new varieties and selections for partners to access over the coming five years.
“This platform approach allows us to scale innovation across the industry, giving key growers access to what we think are some of the leading cherry genetics currently available here in Australia, or worldwide,” said Tess Palamara, IP grower liaison officer for Innovar Global.
“We’re excited to work hand-in-hand with our supply partners to test and develop these varieties in Australia,” added William Snell, general manager of IP for Freshmax Australia. “We are always striving to provide our partners access to new, superior material for their orchards and based on what we have seen to date these programmes represent a real step forward in terms of timing and fruit quality.”
According to Innovar, the platform represents a significant investment in both varietal innovation and commercial infrastructure and it has already received strong buy-in from Australian industry participants, reflecting the sector’s appetite for future-focused breeding programs and differentiated IP.
Innovar continues to form a key part of the Freshmax Group’s strategic focus on proprietary varieties, reinforcing the Group’s position as a leader in IP licensing and horticultural innovation across the Asia-Pacific region.
