Who: Multi-generational orchardists Peter and Heather Radevski, Radevski Coolstores
Where: Shepparton, City of Greater Shepparton, Yorta Yorta Country
Peter and Heather, how big is your orchard?
We cover 500 acres (or 200 hectares) of high-density planting. We grow Williams, Packham, Josephine, and Beurre Bosc pears and Granny Smith, Gala, Pink Lady, and Bravo apples. Bravo is a relatively new apple with a deep burgundy-hued skin, and when cut, its flesh is very slow to brown. It’s an Australian-developed apple, bred in Western Australia by John Cripps, and widely praised for the healthy flavonoids in its deep-coloured skin. We’re the largest grower of Bravo on the Australian eastern seaboard.
Do you use a lot of technology in the orchard?
It’s what gives us the edge. We use integrated pest management, where we stock the orchard with predator insects that attack pests, such as coddling moth. We are part of CSIRO’s Rapid Aim program, which uses an app to inform us in real time if there’s a fruit fly incursion so we can react before anything gets out of hand. We also use dynamic controlled-atmosphere technology, which employs lasers to monitor the chlorophyll in the fruit skin. This determines the mix of gases we flush the cool room with to put the apples to sleep and keep them in optimum condition. We replace a lot of the oxygen with nitrogen to significantly slow down the metabolism of the living fruit. This helps prevent rot and scalding and has almost completely eliminated the need for chemicals post-harvest. It is quite remarkable technology.
How do we get your fruit?
Wholesale customers can contact us through our website, radevskicoolstores.com.au, but if you shop for apples or pears at Coles and Aldi on the eastern seaboard, there’s a good chance you’re buying Radevski Coolstores fruit.