Jul 18, 2023

Vineland and AIGN release new Canadian apple variety

AIGN – the Associated International Group of Nurseries — and the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario, Canada, are working to produce better varieties of apples.

The work comes as apples are one of Canada’s most important fruit crops, leading the sector in overall fruit production and being one of the nation’s top five exported fruits.

With any successful product, there is a need to innovate and evolve as consumers seek new varieties and alternatives arise in the marketplace. For this reason, collaborations focusing on new consumer driven Canadian apple varieties are an essential aspect of the product innovation life cycle, for both local consumers and those abroad.

The new collaboration will advance apple variety development in Canada by combining Vineland’s multi-disciplinary research and innovation capabilities and intellectual property management skills with AIGN’s expertise in tree production and commercialization, Ian Potter, Vineland’s president and CEO, based in Vineland Station, Ontario, said in a news release.

“This distinctive collaboration has the potential, not only to maximize our breeding efforts and benefit the Ontario and Canadian apple sector, but also to increase the Canadian apple selections most popular with consumers in Canada and around the world,” Potter said in the release.

AIGN welcomes the collaboration.

“AIGN is excited to be Vineland’s exclusive collaborator on the evaluation, selection and commercialization of new apple cultivars for Canadian consumers and beyond,” Gavin Porter, CEO of the Yakima, Washington, based AIGN, said in the release. “AIGN also looks forward to building a working relationship with Vineland’s multi-disciplinary team for new plant variety development aligned with AIGN’s global tree production and commercialization expertise to maximize the impact of the Vineland breeding program.”

The collaboration is designed to advance Vineland’s mission to improve the economic viability, sustainability and competitiveness of horticulture in Canada, according to the release.

With more than three decades of experience commercializing new proprietary varieties, AIGN is a leader in the intellectual property management of tree fruits. Its network of membership allows the Yakima, Washington, organization to test and distribute products through all the world’s major horticultural regions. AIGN owns the trademarked Hertha horticultural database system developed to assist in the management of proprietary varieties.

Located in Canada’s Niagara Region, the Vineland Research Station is situated on approximately 222 acres dedicated to orchards, vineyards, rotation crop areas, greenhouses and a mushroom production unit. The center works to improve horticulture science and innovation.