A 'Stella' new strawberry on the Aussie market

Claimed to be high-yielding, disease-resistant and sweet-flavoured, the Stella-ASBP variety of strawberry has hit the shelves after more than five years of development by Aussie growers and plant breeding experts.

According to Hort Innovation’s latest Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook, growers produced almost 66,000 tonnes of strawberries in 2022/23, valued at more than $429 million.

Developed through trials on grower’s farms in Queensland and delivered through Hort Innovation in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), the Stella-ASBP variety is available in every state and territory of Australia.

Hort Innovation industry service and delivery general manager Andrew Francey said the release of Stella-ASBP will be particularly well received by growers and the broader industry.

“This new variety, developed closely with Australian growers, offers consumers a consistently sweet flavour, aroma, mouthfeel and bright red appearance,” Francey said. 

“Stella-ASBP also delivers a boost to production efficiency because of the abundant fruit Stella-ASBP plants are naturally bred to produce.”

Francey said the variety is one of 17 that have been delivered through Hort Innovation using industry levies and funds from the Australian Government, and the organisation’s partnership with DAF. The breeding program accounts for more than 50% of the varieties grown nationally and 85% of varieties grown in Queensland.

DAF principal plant breeder Dr Jodi Neal said the Australian Strawberry Breeding Program had a tradition of naming its new varieties after accomplished, talented and remarkable Australians, such as Olympic athletes Susie O’Neill and Tahli Gill, and Stella is no exception.

“Through this variety, we are extremely pleased to be able to pay tribute to the late Australian comedian, journalist and disability rights activist Stella Young and her legacy,” Neal said.

“Stella Young was fierce and funny. She stood up for people whose bodies looked different or performed differently. She was a voice for people living with disabilities, and what she had to say is important for everyone to hear.”

Image credit: iStock.com/anilakkus