SA's Flash Gala apples heading to the Far East

Shipments of the full-coloured Flash Gala appeles from South Africa are expected to reach the Far East in February.

With over a million trees already planted, Bigbucks, the improved Corder Gala apple strain, is now the most successful new variety in terms of orders placed in the history of the South African Plant Improvement Organisation since launch date.

Named after Buks Nel, Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing's new variety expert, 2019's Agriculturist of the Year and a fruit industry veteran, Plant Breeder's Rights were awarded to Bigbucks' owners, Pink Vein.

After a lengthy process of name selection, a brand name for the fruit is confirmed. Flash Gala is now the trademarked fruit of Bigbucks trees,

The sweet spot for Flash Gala is the high pack-out percentage. This means that more purchase-ready fruit from one tree can be picked at one time than many other commercially grown apple or pear varieties.

The idea behind the Flash Gala name is that it will be sold "in a flash" and also that the bright red colour of the fruit is like a flash of light.

Grower Derek Corder is among the first who have planted Bigbucks trees. The unique pink or red mid-rib on the leaf is used to identify the variety after the fruit has been harvested. While, on the tree, the pink vein (from where the company name comes) down the centre of the leaf is characteristic.

Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, the largest exporter of South African apples and pears, has the rights to sell Flash Gala along with others.