One of the world's most unique tropical fruits that are grown in Australia, the Achacha (Garcinia humilis) has grown significantly in popularity and stature.
In the past six years, in particular, the Australian cultivators 'Achacha Fruit Plantations' say the fruit's name, visibility, and reputation have grown across the country. The fruit is originally from Bolivia where it is known as the Achachairu, and despite being cultivated for centuries in domestic orchards in the tropical lowlands of the Amazon Basin, it was first commercialized by the Australian farmers on the large scale that it is today.
"It has far to go to become a household word, but based on interest shown from around the world, the fruit is no longer a 'what's that?' item," Bruce Hill, a director of Achacha Fruit Plantations, said. "We find it popping up in the most unlikely places. We know it is ours as we are currently the only commercial grower, and the distinctive orange boxes indicate its source."
Mr Hill added that it is not just in Australia but interest in the fruit is taking a giant leap overseas, with the first small local crop recently sold in Florida at mouth-watering prices.
"With its large expatriate Bolivian population in the US, the fruit, which originated in the Amazon Basin, was in high demand," he said. "Given the virtual demise of the orange industry in Florida, a 92% decline in the last 20 years as a result of disease and other issues, it is likely that one of the replacement crops will be the Achacha, along with the avocado."
Achacha Fruit Plantations has been supplying local and international customers from its North Queensland orchard since 2009.
"Our 15,000 trees on 101 irrigated hectares a half hour south of Townsville are certified organic and biodynamic," Mr Hill said. "With its orange color, the fruit has become particularly popular as a Chinese New Year gift and is now, when in season, a staple in many fruit shops on Australia's east coast."
The fruit is not the only product the trees produce, according to Mr Hill, as the thousands of flowers that have never seen a chemical are like nirvana to bees, and as a result about a thousand kilograms of excellent honey are produced annually.
"While most of the Achacha production is sold as a fruit, trials have been successfully carried out using the pulp in ice-creams, drinks, and sauces," he said. "These value-added markets have been restricted by lack of a machine to take the skin off the pulp and seed."
Bruce's wife Helen Hill, who handles marketing as well as soil health, says that the next generation will have to find an answer to this problem. The couple is urging younger growers to consider producing the crop to continue the legacy.
"It's time for us to seek younger owners with energy and enterprise so that we can travel Australia," she said.
For more information
Bruce Hill
Achacha Fruit Plantations
Phone +61 419 400 407
[email protected]
www.achacha.com.au
www.facebook.com/Achachafruitnews