Introducing STELLAR™: a game-changer for early season apple lovers 

The Hot Climate Partnership is set to unveil STELLAR™, the world’s first early season apple variety specifically bred for hot and warming climates next week at Fruit Attraction in Madrid. 

STELLAR™ apple trees are a disruptor in the early variety space. The bright red fruit is similarly sized to Gala, with the added benefit of maturing one to two weeks earlier, and has good storability that will appeal to growers and retailers alike. 

Morgan Rogers, VentureFruit’s General Manager, said STELLAR™ is a winning variety for growers. “As temperatures increase around the world, apples can mature too quickly, with the heat also impacting the colour, texture and yield. Innovations such as the development of STELLAR™ are essential to provide growers with new variety options, specifically bred for hot and warming climates, which ensures consumers can still enjoy apples with great taste, texture and appearance,” says Morgan. 

STELLAR™, also known by its variety name ‘HOT81A1’, is a product of more than 20 years of natural breeding and scientific development, and the second varietal release from the Hot Climate Partnership. This follows on from the successful launch of TUTTI™ apples in early 2023. While both varieties have been developed to withstand high temperatures, they thrive in traditional, temperate climates as well. 

Following a rigorous selection process, IFO has been selected as the head licensee for STELLAR™. Based in France, IFO is a leading private company with a global reach, specialising in the research and development of new apple and pear varieties and rootstocks. IFO, together with its parent company Dalival, are part of the global INN network of nurseries. 

Bruno Essner, IFO’s Managing Director says “We are confident in this new early variety, which has consistently tested well for both taste and appearance under a wide range of climate conditions, and are thrilled to be able to offer STELLAR™ apple trees through an open tree release model, ensuring that more growers can benefit from its exceptional qualities. This offers growers flexibility as they can purchase STELLAR™ apple trees and brand the fruit under their own choice of marketing name.” 

Growers who are interested in purchasing and planting STELLAR™ are encouraged to reach out to IFO directly. Ultimately, STELLAR™ will be available to growers worldwide with the initial release focused in Europe and territories where plant material is available. 

Morgan said the name STELLAR™ was chosen to highlight the exceptional qualities of this new apple variety. “Stellar has dual definitions, meaning both ‘of the stars’ and ‘superb’ or ‘outstanding’. This name highlights the variety’s ability to thrive in hot and warming climates and deliver outstanding colour and yield, making it a stellar choice for both growers and consumers.” 

“Each variety from the Hot Climate Partnership brings unique benefits and strengths. These first two varieties complement each other by addressing different grower needs, such as pricing and seasonal availability,” says Morgan. 

Initiated in 2002, in response to the challenges experienced by Catalan apple and pear growers, the Hot Climate Partnership is a collaboration between The Catalan Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), New Zealand’s Plant & Food Research, Catalonian fruit producer association Fruit Futur, and T&G Global’s genetics and variety management business, VentureFruit®, who are responsible for the commercialisation and licensing of new varieties from the Partnership. 

The Hot Climate Partnership has an extensive pipeline of 13 apple and 6 pear varieties that are completing their final years of evaluation and testing. 

Following the release of STELLAR™ apple trees, the partnership has shortlisted two further varieties which they hope to progress to commercialisation from 2025—both of which have also been specifically bred to be tolerant of hot and warming climates. 

The VentureFruit® team will be located at the BayWa Global Produce stand (Stand 10D20 - Pavilion P10) at Fruit Attraction, Madrid 8-10 October 2024. 

If you’re interested in purchasing STELLAR™ apple trees, email
contact@ifo-fruit.com.