Summerland Varieties Corp. (“SVC”) is collaborating with Martin’s Family Fruit Farm of Ontario and British Columbia, Algoma Orchards of Ontario, and Verger des Bois-Francs of Québec, to deliver an exciting new Canadian apple to Canadian consumers. 

The Sunpunch apple was developed in Canada by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s prolific tree fruit breeding program.

“The Sunpunch apple is refreshingly crisp and juicy, with hints of the tropics”, said Nick Ibuki, SVC’s business development manager. “Its ‘tri-coloured’ skin, which transitions from gold to orange and red, combined with its remarkable shelf life, will ensure that Sunpunch apples radiate sunshine all year long.”

SVC, which holds global commercialization rights to the Sunpunch apple, has partnered with Canadian growers and packers of high-quality fruit to create the Canadian club that will manage this launch. Currently, there are 100,000 Sunpunch trees planted across Canada. Those trees will have enough fruit for a retail launch in Ontario and Québec during the 2026/27 harvest and sales season. Production, marketing and sales will continue to ramp up after that.

“We’re extremely excited to be working with innovative apple producers such as Martin’s Family Fruit Farm, Algoma Orchards and Verger des Bois-Francs,” said Sean Beirnes, SVC’s general manager. “Sunpunch apple growers, packers, retailers and consumers will all benefit from our demand-driven production plans, consistent quality standards and recognizable Sunpunch branding.”

“We’re taking a very strategic and coordinated approach in order to mitigate the risk to Canadian growers, added Beirnes. “We want to ensure consumers have a wonderful experience when they first try this amazing fruit, and that they keep on coming back for more. We also want to avoid over-planting and over-production, which has been a challenge for Canadian growers and packers of other popular apple varieties. While Sunpunch apples will initially be available in Ontario and Québec retailers, we expect commercial production will expand in British Columbia, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and, over time, delicious Sunpunch apples will be available to all Canadian consumers.”

SVC manages intellectual property rights on behalf of fruit breeders and rights owners of world-renowned apples, cherries and berries. SVC has accumulated decades of global experience in plant protection, trademarking, licensing and enforcement. 

Source:  Summerland Varieties Corporation March 11, 2025 news release