TopFruit proudly represents two leading international breeding programmes: BQ Genetics from California, US, and AC Fruit, managed by Star Fruits in France. Both programmes bring decades of expertise and innovation to the development of premium stone fruit varieties.
BQ Genetics
BQ Genetics, formerly known as Bradford Farms, originated in the 1940s with Norman Bradford’s pioneering work in fruit and nut breeding, making it one of California’s oldest private breeding programmes.
Under Jon Quisenberry, Glen Bradford’s son-in-law, the legacy continues and remains a cornerstone of innovation in stone fruit development.
AC Fruit
Led by Alexandre Bouche, AC Fruit specialises in the natural crossbreeding of apricot, peach, and nectarine varieties. The programme emphasises taste, quality, consistent yields, and climate adaptability. Using molecular marker-assisted selection, AC Fruit combines scientific precision with intuitive breeding to meet the challenges of modern horticulture.
Based in Rochegude, the 20ha site hosts more than 30 000 hybrids and nearly 500 varieties. Each year, 4 000 to 5 000 new peach and nectarine hybrids are created, with only about 50 making the final cut. At the Poscros site, new selections are tested and showcased to growers and licensees.
AC Fruit varieties now represent more than 30% of orchard renewals in France and are expanding globally through Star Fruits’ network of sub-licensees.
Plum varieties for every season
TopFruit’s plum offerings from BQ Genetics are bred for excellence across the seasonal spectrum.
Early season:
- Blackred I (black skin, red flesh; week 46)
- Plumred XVI (red skin, red flesh; week 48; not yet commercially available)
- Blackred XXI (black skin, red flesh; week 51)
Mid-season:
- Red Phoenix (red skin, red flesh; week one)
Late season:
- September Yummy (red skin, red flesh; week 9/10)
- Ruby Sugar (red skin, red flesh; week 10/11)
Premium nectarine selections
Our nectarine portfolio includes white- and yellow-flesh varieties, offering flexibility throughout the season.
Early to mid-season:
- Pearlicious VI (white flesh; week one)
- Extreme Larisa (white flesh; week 47/48)
- Najireine (yellow flesh; week 48)
- Najicante (yellow flesh; week 50/51)
Mid-season:
- Majestic Pearl (white flesh; week three)
- Sierra Pearl (white flesh; week four)
Mid- to late season:
- Giant Pearl (white flesh; week five)
Late season:
- Monbach (yellow flesh; week nine)
- Monval (white flesh; week nine)
We recently established our first semi-commercial nectarine trial blocks in the Warm Bokkeveld area of the Western Cape, featuring three AC Fruit varieties: Najicante (yellow flesh), Nabriva (white flesh), and SF15.045 (white flesh). We look forward to showcasing these to producers in the foreseeable future.
Expanding our horizons
TopFruit is also collaborating with Vian Innovations (formerly Provedo) from Spain to introduce early, low-chill peach and nectarine varieties. One promising candidate currently under evaluation is Extreme Larisa, a white-flesh nectarine.
In addition, we’re expanding our apricot portfolio through three new partnerships (two in France and one in New Zealand) aimed at delivering high-quality apricots throughout the season.
Partnering for the future
With a robust selection of varieties and a commitment to innovation, TopFruit continues to support South African producers in maximising yields and meeting evolving market demands. Through strategic partnerships with world-renowned breeding programmes, we’re helping to shape the future of stone fruit production, one season at a time.
For more information phone TopFruit on 021 874 1033, or visit topfruit.co.za.
