Waves of excitement are rippling through the principle apple growing areas of Northern Europe after testing of the variety PLBARB1, commonly known as Barnsby, produced positive and promising results during the 2018 harvest. Evaluation blocks in Belgium, U.K. and Germany yielded exciting results. Due to their shortened growing season, orchardists in countries in Northern Europe traditionally have been unable to sustain the late-harvesting Cripps Pink cultivars. The Barnsby could be the perfect solution for these areas because it boasts a harvest window three to four weeks sooner than other Cripps selections. The test plantings all reported similar results including beautiful dark-pink color, excellent flavor, attractive and consistent apples.

The testing and evaluation project in Northern Europe is ongoing to ascertain the total growing area suitable to mature this new variety.

On 15 September 2018, a ruling was announced that the Barnsby cultivar was recognized with Plant Breeders rights in Europe, paving the way for commercial cultivation in the coming years. This important milestone adds to the excitement in the apple growing community, because it will allow them to create a local source for this highly popular type of apple in their own markets.

This cultivar has also met with great success in the U.S. with very large commercial orchards now being planted and grown in Washington State, Michigan and New York. Plantings are also in line for British Columbia and Ontario in Canada. In the United States and Mexico, the Barnsby cultivar is marketed under the Pink Lady trademark.  

Proprietary Variety Management is a full-service global IP and commercialization company for new fruit varieties that works with all aspects of the distribution chain starting with breeders as the way through to the consumers.