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 the country.
Known as ‘HOT84A1’, TUTTI™ was the first variety launched by the Hot Climate Partnership, a collaboration between New Zealand and Catalonia focused on developing high-quality apples and pears adapted to increasingly challenging growing conditions. Originally established to meet the needs of Catalan growers, varieties developed through the partnership are now commercially grown in five countries.
Under the agreement, X Fruit will hold exclusive rights to grow and manage the ‘HOT84A1’ variety, marketed as TUTTI™, in New Zealand. The company will also have the rights to pack, market and sell the fruit through the programme’s peer-to-peer model.
The agreement initially covers 100 hectares of TUTTI™ apples, with the first commercial plantings in New Zealand taking place in Hawke’s Bay this month.
TUTTI™ programme exceeds 1,000 licensed hectares
Morgan Rogers, General Manager of VentureFruit, said the agreement represents another milestone in the international expansion of the programme.
“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 reaching 1,200 hectares by 2030,” Rogers said.
He added that the agreement reflects the confidence growers and commercial partners are placing in varieties developed through the Hot Climate Partnership.
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“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,” he said.
The Hot Climate Partnership brings together more than 20 years of research and innovation. Following years of production trials and consumer research in different markets, the programme has demonstrated its ability to develop fruit capable of maintaining high quality under challenging growing conditions. Three apple programmes have now been released through the partnership.
Since TUTTI™ was launched in February 2023, the variety has established an expanding international network of licensees, including FruitFutur in Catalonia, Worldwide Fruit in the United Kingdom, Copefrut in Latin America and Joy Wing Mau in China.
X Fruit targets premium export markets
For X Fruit, the variety’s eating quality and potential in premium export markets were key factors behind the decision to add TUTTI™ to its 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,” said Gurpreet Singh, Operations Manager at X Fruit.
X Fruit has established a strong presence in the premium branded apple segment and is already a licensee of several leading varieties, including ENVY™ apples. The addition of TUTTI™ expands its portfolio as the company continues to focus on premium apples designed to meet changing consumer expectations.
“The addition of TUTTI™ apples complements our existing portfolio and aligns with our long-term focus on 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,” Singh said.
An apple bred for a changing climate
The agreement comes as growers increasingly seek varieties capable of performing under hotter and more variable growing conditions.
According to Rogers, the Hot Climate Partnership is developing a portfolio of apple and pear varieties specifically adapted to these conditions, with TUTTI™ representing one of the programme’s first commercial examples.
This variety was recognised with first place in the Fresh Produce category at the 2025 Fruit Attraction Innovation Hub Awards in Madrid, highlighting its potential within the fresh produce sector.
The partnership with X Fruit is expected to expand access to TUTTI™ among growers, customers and consumers in New Zealand and its target export markets.
The first TUTTI™ apples grown by X Fruit are expected to reach consumers from around 2028.
