Hirosaki University in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, has developed an apple variety named Kimito, aimed at penetrating the international fruit market. This initiative is facilitated through a collaboration with Wismettac Foods Inc., a subsidiary of the Tokyo-based Nishimoto Co., to cultivate the Kimito apple in South Africa. The arrangement is designed to leverage intellectual property rights held by the university to generate royalty fees.
The strategic move ensures the Kimito apple's year-round availability by utilizing South Africa's favourable climate during the Northern Hemisphere's winter months. Developed at the Fujisaki Farm of Hirosaki University's Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, the Kimito apple was registered in Japan in 2016. It is characterized by its yellow skin, white flesh, refreshing sweetness, and high storability. The variety's introduction to South Africa aligns with the "club variety" system, safeguarding intellectual property and allowing licensed production and marketing within the club. This model aims to mitigate royalty fee losses experienced from unauthorized cultivation abroad, as seen with other Japanese farm products.
Wismettac Foods' decision to cultivate in South Africa also aims at accessing closer markets such as Europe and the Middle East, leveraging the seasonal differences to supply Kimito apples year-round. This strategy is anticipated to open new sales channels and offer the apples at competitive market prices.
Source: asahi.com