Tasmania’s 2026 apple season is officially underway

Australia’s 2026 apple harvest is underway, reported produce industry representative, Fruit Growers Tasmania. Early varieties like Royal Gala and Smitten are already being distributed locally.

Tasmania’s apple season gets delayed

The industry body says this year’s apple season is starting and will be running later than usual due to a cool spring followed by a mild summer, which has delayed fruit development.

Supplies of stored fruit are largely exhausted, and the release says consumers are eagerly anticipating the new crop, which is shaping up to be both high-yielding and high-quality.

Later varieties are to be harvested in April, including Jazz, Golden Delicious, Modi, Granny Smith, Kanzi, Dazzle Missile, Envy, and the unique Tasmanian varieties of Southern Bliss, Rubigold, and Tiger Fuji.

Australia’s second-largest apple-producing state

The region has a proud apple-growing history spanning more than 175 years, and despite the state once being a leading world supplier of apples, the industry has evolved, with most apples now sold locally and across mainland Australia.

Fruit Growers Tasmania CEO Peter Cornish said quality is the goal for local producers, many of whom have been growing apples for six generations.

“Tasmania grows exceptional temperate fruit, and now is a great time to pick up a bag of crisp, sweet apples grown in your local area,” he said.

Trade is not the industry's main focus, but the organization still exports to Asian markets, including Thailand, Singapore, and China.

*All images courtesy of Fruit Growers Tasmania

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