Australia’s family-owned fresh produce company Montague and Sun World, Californian variety development and licensing company, have executed a new commercial license for fruit produced from Sun World stone fruit cultivars grown in Australia.
“We are thrilled to be entering into a new phase of our long-standing relationship with Sun World,” Montague chief innovation officer Rowan Little said.
“The new agreement will extend our already long and successful (est. 2002) commercial relationship with Sun World for a further five years from now. The license ensures Australian consumers can enjoy new selections and full flavoured plums and apricots in the years ahead,” he said.
Founded in 1948, Montague activities include fruit production and packing, food sales and marketing and the provision of storage and logistics services.
Sun World’s purpose is to drive the growth of fruit breeding, varietal development, licensing and agricultural technologies. It has a network of licensed growers and marketers and maintains offices in the US, Europe, Australia, South America, Israel, North Africa and South Africa.
As a result of the agreement, Montague will make a significant investment in new plantings of plums and apricots. These fruits are set apart from others in the market for their succulent red flesh and high natural sugars. Montague’s fruit is grown by Australian farmers in Stanthorpe, Queensland and Swan Hill, Cobram and Shepparton in Victoria.
“Montague, like many of our licensees, continues to be a tremendous partner in Australia. It is exciting to have this new commitment from Montague,” Sun World Australian licensing manager Adam Knoll said.
“We look forward to our stone fruits delighting consumers in Australia and Asian destination markets over the years ahead,” he said.
Montague plans to market the new plant material under both the Sun World proprietary brands Honeycot and Black Diamond, as well as their own Croc Eggs and the Montague tree brands.