The Sassiest Season Yet
February 2026
The wait is over. Sassy™ apples are back with a bang.
Apple lovers across New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and South-East Asia can officially relax, Sassy™ has returned for her boldest season yet. Block-red, beautifully balanced and bursting with crunch, Sassy™ is now being harvested across New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay and Nelson regions, Shepparton in Australia, and South Africa.
Australia was first off the ranks, with first pick on 2 February, bringing welcome relief to domestic retailers following a tight apple season last year. South African growers followed the same week, while New Zealand’s harvest kicked off on Monday 9 February. This year’s crop will soon be available across all growing regions, as well as 10–12 of New Zealand’s key export markets.
Across all three growing regions, growers are reporting excellent colour, high brix and a strong crop set, a promising start for a variety that has almost doubled global volumes every year since launch, with an estimated ~100 containers across key growing regions this season.
Golden Bay Fruit’s Nelson Sassy™ a few days before harvest.
Red hot
Naturally bred over 12 years by New Zealand’s prestigious Bioeconomy Science Institute (formerly Plant & Food Research) and commercialised by Prevar, Sassy™ was designed to deliver on both consumer appeal and grower performance. Her early harvest window and natural heat tolerance give growers confidence under pressure, while her vibrant full-wrap red colour, dense crunch and modern branding make Sassy™ an easy choice for shoppers.
That heat tolerance is proving its worth this season in Australia, where average temperatures reached 45°C in the lead-up to harvest, testing many varieties. But Sassy™? Relatively unfazed and still producing her signature block-red colour.
Redland leads the Australian Sassy™ program from Shepparton, where the variety continues to stand out as one of the region’s most reliable early-season, heat-tolerant performers.
Sassy™ harvest in Australia’s Goulburn Valley
“It’s been a seriously hot summer, but Sassy™ just laps it up,” says Redland Quality Manager Brent Reeve. “The fruit has coloured beautifully, and after last year’s short supply season, customers can’t get their hands on Sassy™ fast enough. Getting fresh, new-season apples into stores early is a huge win.”
“The heat has resulted in a slightly smaller size profile for Australian Sassy™ this year, well suited to export markets, though reducing allocations to some of our domestic retailers who prefer larger fruit” says Daniel Lutman, Redland’s Senior Business Development Manager.
In New Zealand, grower-exporters Golden Bay Fruit (Nelson) and Taylor Corp (Hawke’s Bay) reported strong early colouration and clean fruit heading into harvest, with the signature deep-red Sassy™ look back in full force.
Most New Zealand-grown Sassy™ will be exported to Greater China and South-East Asia this season, where the variety continues to build popularity for its balanced flavour profile and striking red hue.
Momentum is also building in the UK, where major retailers are responding strongly to both the branding and eating experience of New Zealand Sassy™. In coming years, UK consumers will be able to enjoy year-round supply as Sassy™’s UK grower, Mansfield’s, comes into production.
What retailers can expect this season
First harvest & availability
Shepparton, Australia: Harvest from 27 January | Available in selected Australian retailers from mid-February
South Africa: Harvest from 5 February | Available exclusively at Pick n Pay stores from March
Hawke’s Bay & Nelson, New Zealand: From 9 February | Available internationally from mid-March and in New Zealand from late February
Fruit profile
Full wrap-around red colour
Consistently high brix
Firm texture with strong pressure readings
Consumer response
Over 50% conversion from sample to purchase at tastings
Strong repeat demand across the Pacific, Asia and the UK
With her striking appearance, bold personality and reliable early timing, Sassy™ is primed to give retailers a serious head start this season.
Sweet. Zesty. Crispy. Sassy™.
Follow Sassy™
Instagram: @sassyapplebites
Linkedin: Next Generation Apples