VentureFruit has appointed X Fruit Limited as the New Zealand licensee for TUTTI™ apples, an award-winning variety developed through the Hot Climate Partnership, paving the way for its first commercial plantings in New Zealand.
‘HOT84A1’, branded as TUTTI™ apples, was the first variety to be launched by the Hot Climate Partnership, a New Zealand-Catalan collaboration that breeds high-quality apples and pears tailored to a warming climate, offering growers new variety options based on their individual needs. Originally established to meet the needs of Catalan growers, Hot Climate Partnership varieties are now being commercially grown in five countries.
Under the agreement, X Fruit has exclusive rights to grow and manage the ‘HOT84A1’ variety – marketed as TUTTI™, in New Zealand, as well as rights to pack, market and sell TUTTI™ through the peer-to-peer programme.
The agreement allows X Fruit to initially grow 100 hectares of TUTTI™ apples, with the first commercial plantings of the variety in New Zealand going into the ground in Hawke’s Bay this month.
Morgan Rogers, General Manager of VentureFruit, says the agreement reflects the programme’s continued global growth.
“This is an important milestone for TUTTI™ apples in New Zealand and another step forward for the programme globally. The appointment takes the TUTTI™ programme to more than 1,000 hectares licensed worldwide, bringing us closer to our ambition of 1,200 hectares by 2030. It also reflects the confidence growers and commercial partners are showing in Hot Climate Partnership varieties.
“We’re pleased to welcome one of the New Zealand apple industry’s rising participants, X Fruit, to the growing TUTTI™ network, and look forward to seeing New Zealand-grown fruit enter the market,” says Mr Rogers.
The Hot Climate Partnership brings together more than 20 years of research and innovation. Through multiple years of production trials and global consumer research, it has demonstrated its ability to deliver high-quality fruit in challenging conditions. Three apple programmes have now been released from the partnership.
Since the launch of TUTTI™ apples in February 2023, the programme has established a growing international network of licensees. X Fruit joins partners including FruitFutur in Catalonia, Worldwide Fruit in the United Kingdom, Copefrut in Latin America and Joy Wing Mau in China.
Gurpreet Singh, Operations Manager at X Fruit, says the variety’s eating experience and fit with the premium export markets made it a strong addition to the company’s portfolio.
“We have been impressed by the eating quality and market potential of TUTTI™ apples. We believe this variety can appeal to consumers seeking high-quality, premium apples and are excited to introduce TUTTI™ apples to customers across New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent,” says Mr Singh.
X Fruit has built a strong presence in the premium branded apple sector and is a licensee of several leading varieties, including ENVY™ apples. TUTTI™ broadens its portfolio as the company continues to focus on premium apples that meet evolving consumer expectations.
“The addition of TUTTI™ apples complements our existing portfolio and aligns with our long-term focus on the high-value export markets. We look forward to working with VentureFruit, fellow licensees and the wider network to build a successful programme that continues to deliver value over the long term,” says Mr Singh.
Morgan says the appointment comes as growers seek options suited to hotter and more variable growing conditions: “The Hot Climate Partnership is developing a suite of apple and pear varieties bred for these conditions, and TUTTI™ is a strong example of that work reaching commercial orchards and the market. Its first-place award in the Fresh Produce category at the 2025 Fruit Attraction Innovation Hub Awards in Madrid recognised the variety’s potential, and this new partnership with X Fruit will help bring TUTTI™ apples to more growers, customers and consumers.”
The first TUTTI™ apples grown by X Fruit are expected to become available to consumers from approximately 2028.
