PHILADELPHIA, PA - Pre-harvest treatment Harvista™ 1.3 SC is expanding its reach. AgroFresh Solutions announced that Theddan Farms started using the product in 2018 to extend tree growth time for vastly improved color and size. It not only saved the company’s Gala orchard from the chainsaw but also made it the company’s most profitable, with an increased income of R200,000 to R300,000 (ZAR).

“Ian [Cunningham] and his team quickly caught on to the strength of Harvista 1.3 SC and how they could use it to their advantage in securing the best quality at the right time,” said Peter Wood, AgroFresh Country Manager for South Africa. “Today, our AgroFresh Harvista 1.3 SC technology forms a vital part of their program, and we’re proud to be associated with them because we both know we’re stronger together.”

Theddan Farms turned to AgroFresh and Harvista 1.3 SC to help improve the company’s 350 hectares (nearly 865 acres) of fruit, as poor color was a concern for its Gala apple block, a press release stated.

“We’ve been using Harvista 1.3 SC as a staple on 40 percent of our crops and sometimes 50 percent with it being bi-color, and we’ve been very happy with the results,” said Ian Cunningham, Managing Director for Theddan Farms. “The first orchard we applied Harvista to allowed us to farm certain blocks for longer while making them better economically.”

Since Harvista 1.3 SC expands the harvest window, AgroFresh customers like Theddan can improve labor efficiency and increase quality, a combination that can drive significant bottom-line profit potential for producers.

From securing fruit quality to better management of weather challenges and greater labor efficiency, Harvista 1.3 SC has proven to be a valuable tool for fruit growers around the world. For apples, the solution means reduced fruit drop and better quality, size increase to gain a higher yield, firmness, and color development—leading to increased yield potential of more than 10 percent, ultimately impacting increased revenue potential per hectare/acre.

More AgroFresh innovation is surely on the horizon, so don’t go anywhere.