Sunpunch apples make their debut

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.”