Montague says it’s expecting to see a larger stone fruit crop compared to last season and is ready to pack the additional fruit.
With over 6,600,950kg of fruit forecasted to be packed by Montague, the business anticipates a strong crop that is “abundant” with larger, sweeter plums, peaches, and nectarines.
“The 2022/23 summer proved to be challenging for many growers due to the excessive amount of rain fall in some regions and hail,” says Montague Chief Innovation Officer Rowan Little.
“The wetter growing conditions resulted in a lower crop, however we’re working hard with our growers to prepare for a strong harvest with a larger crop.”
Montague and its network of partners grow stone fruit in the Australian regions of Stanthorpe (Queensland), Swan Hill, Cobram, Katunga and Shepparton (Victoria), and Donnybrook and Perth Hills (Western Australia). The business has more than 340,960 trees grown in these regions due to their “rich” soils, “generous” rainfall, and summer sunshine with cool evenings.
“The stone fruit harvest begins in late October through to March 2024 and the entire business is embracing this season with renewed enthusiasm, following a low yield crop last summer,” says Montague Senior Marketing Manager Angela Bracken.
“The team have been exhausting all avenues to improve bird management and water use in the orchard and to reduce waste since last summer. The business is sustainability-focused and part of that will include consumer education on storage and different uses for stone fruit this season. Australia has to reduce food waste.”
Montague stone fruit is all hand-picked and grown to strict specifications to ensure the fruit meets the brand standards and the consumer can enjoy consistent, quality produce.
Croc Eggs plums are available only at Woolworths, with Montague Tree plums available in Coles and independent green grocers from November until March 2024. Donut peaches will be available only at Costco from January.