What we grow / Fruit / Apples

Tasmania grows apples that are full of natural flavour and crisp to the bite. For many decades it was known as the Apple Isle.

Tasmanians have been growing apples in commercial quantities for 170 years. This long term commitment has been handed down within families across the generations, with the sixth generation of some families still growing apples.

While apple exports from Tasmania occurred throughout the 1800s, it was during the 1920–30s that exports expanded and large volumes were exported to the United Kingdom and Europe.

Today the industry is more focused on the Australian domestic market. However, it maintains its market access to a number of global markets particularly in Asia.

Tasmania has a reputation for growing beautifully fresh crisp apples particularly red varieties. Cool climatic conditions, clean water and nurtured soils enable sweet, crisp fruit to develop slowly. This means the fruit stores particularly well.

As an island, and with strict quarantine controls, reduced pest and disease pressure means low level use of agri-chemicals.

Some 8% of all apples sold in Australia are now grown organically, with demand growing at around 20% per year. Tasmania is home to one of the largest organic apple producers in Australia.