Tru-Cape’s Bigbucks apples with the market trade name of Flash Gala are fast making inroads in South Africa and globally. Flash Gala is a full wine red-tinged improvement from the Bigbucks tree courtesy of Buks Nel, Tru-Cape’s New Variety Expert. The variety’s deep crimson skin color and its high yields have made it an orchard favorite in South Africa. Besides, its high pack out attribute is prompting imports from particularly the Middle-east and the Far-east.
However, for patent and marketing reasons, there is a thin line that separates Bigbucks and Flash Gala branding. To understand these branding unknowns, Selina Wamucii contacted Anthony Rawbone-Viljoen, one of the owners of Bigbucks.
Anthony first explains why Tru-Cape markets Flash Gala and Bigbucks separately.
“Bigbucks is the variety name and Plant Breeders Rights have been granted under this name for the variety in South Africa. The marketing name for the variety is Flash Gala and the trade mark is under registration in Class 31 in apple consuming countries around the world. According to law, the variety name should not be used for marketing purposes.”
Per the above market patents, the company offers licenses to plant Bigbucks trees to a number of countries.
“Bigbucks apple trees have to date sold in the EU, the USA, India and more recently in Australia, with additional countries currently in the pipeline.” Anthony expands.
A Bigbucks’ Farmer Preview
Additionally in its press release of June 28, 2024, Tru-Cape covered a major Bigbucks’ grower, Ross Hewns from Glenfruin.
According to Heyns, “Bigbucks enables early cropping with a high crop load.”
His latest harvest boasted 54 tonnes a hectare, which is a great deal considering he has planted on 6.7 hectares.
“Young trees produce good-quality fruit, provided your nutrition programme takes the early yields into account.” He says.
He further explains how he mixes rootstocks and propagates the cuttings in close formation to marvelous yields. His choice rootstocks include M9, M7, MM109 and G969.
About Tru-Cape
Tru-Cape is a distributor of apples and pears in South Africa and has been in the business beginning 2001. It closely connects with Western and Southern Cape growers for distribution. To learn more, visit their website at Tru-Cape.com.
South Africa Apple Statistics
According to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), production of apples in South Africa rose from 753,167 tonnes in the 2009-10 season to 856,642 tonnes in the 2018-19 season. This was however a downsizing from the peak production year of 2017-18 which had reached 958,925 tonnes.
How much does South Africa earn from Apple exports?
In 2019, South Africa generated 5,396,956 Rand ($296,563) from apple exports, 4,559,571 rand ($250,549) or 84% of which from Western Cape.
Which are the most popular apple cultivars in South Africa?
In the 2019 season, conventional apple varieties led in popularity. Golden Delicious commanded 22% of the market while Royal Gala 17% and Granny Smith 14%, according to DAFF data. Currently in 2024, Flash Gala is the fastest growing variety, boasting over 1000 hectares, alongside sales of 1.2 million Bigbucks trees.