Apples to be size of golf balls

A miniature apple variety is expected to be in Australian supermarkets in three years.

It is known as Rockit and the fruit are the size of golf balls.

Rockit was developed in New Zealand in 2010 and already is being exported to Asia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Lenswood Co-op in the Adelaide hills has gained market rights and will let Australian growers plant it.

Rockit is expected to be popular for lunch boxes.

James Walters from the Co-op said the new variety was expected to prove popular in lunch boxes.

"The thing about it, it's unique. It comes (for sale) in a cylinder or tube and what we like about it [is] it's very orientated to kids," he said.

"It's perfect for the lunch box, perfect to carry around and even for the office place. [We are] hoping to take on the snack food market, for example."

Lenswood Co-op deals with 70 per cent of the South Australian apple crop and packs about 20,000 apples annually.

Mr Walters is keen to hear from apple growers who want to plant Rockit because it is hoped to grow it across the nation.

"Anything we take on, we aim to export 50 per cent of our new varieties," he said.

"We believe we have a good market in the UK, which is why we favour this particular apple."

Source: ABC News, 14 March 2013