Apples are seen at RAJPOJ company, near Grojec August 4, 2014
Apples are seen at RAJPOJ company, near Grojec August 4, 2014 Reuters/Filip Klimaszewksi

There is a new black apple in Australia that is making waves and expected to be available in the market in 2016.

According to ABC News, the new fruit in Western Australia was developed over the course of two decades by the WA Department of Agriculture and Food. It was dubbed "black apple" and has dark burgundy skin. The fruit is a cross between the Cripps Red and Royal Gala varieties.

There are already tens of thousands of black apple trees bearing the fruit. More will be planted in orchards around the area for the remainder of 2014.

Premier Colin Barnett said in a report by The Western Australian, "This new apple has a good balance between sugar and acid, is crisp and guaranteed to stand out on the shop shelves due to its striking dark burgundy colour."

Ken Baston, WA Agriculture Minister, said that they expect the apple to be grown by hundreds of farmers in the coming years because aside from being attractive, these were easy to grow and the trees bore a lot. Baston said, "Testing has shown ANABP 01 is suitable for all the major Australian apple production regions."

The Advantages for Potential Growers

1. It is easy to grow

Based on the experts who studied the growing black apple trees for 20 years, these are expected to be very popular among growers because the plants are easy to grow and cultivate. Trees bear a lot of fruit which can equate to huge financial benefits for growers.

2. They are attractive

People looking for a good alternative to the regular green and red apples will appreciate the ANABP 01, which is the registered variety name of the new fruit. When setting this up beside traditional apples, the dark burgundy colour stands out easily, making these very inviting to consumers.

3. It poses fewer marketing worries

Being the latest apple available, the testers are deciding on a suitable retail trademark name to market the fruit further. Although it is based in Western Australia, producers are aiming to advertise the black apple to different parts of the globe. Potential growers and sellers do not have to spend a lot of time and effort spreading its popularity.

The pome fruit industry in WA in 2010 to 2011 was valued at over $41 million. The black apple can be an excellent investment for interested individuals and companies.