Washington State's Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers is expecting to have New Zealand Honey Crisp apples available in May, following 'heavy investment' in the Southern Hemisphere's country's growing regions. 

"We are very excited to bring something special to our customers and to consumers who love the Honeycrisp apple," marketing director Scott Marboe said in a release, adding the window would last for around five weeks.

National sales representative Bruce Turned said the new crop was grown in the Timaru region on New Zealand's south island, and had an 'outstanding color, flavor and texture'.

"New Zealand is in a marine climate, and its fruit trees grow somewhat faster, with earlier and heavier yields than in other production areas," Turner said.

"Because Timaru is south of Hawkes Bay, another New Zealand apple-growing region, the nights are cooler, which brings on the amazing color in our Honeycrisp."

He added the company was seeing more optimal retail sizes of Honeycrisp than from other Southern Hemisphere growing areas.

"The New Zealand Honeycrisp will start arriving in bins in late April, and we will pack fresh to order in Yakima," Turner said.

"They will bear the 'Honeycrisp New Zealand' label and will be distributed by Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers."

Marboe also said the company strongly believed in the Honeycrisp apple, and that the consumer preference for the variety matched its vision.

"That is one reason we are heavily invested in certain New Zealand growing regions and committed to the long-term, year-round success of the Honeycrisp apple," he said.

Photo: Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers

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