Product Offerings
Product Categories:
fruits and vegetables
Products:
Apples (JAZZ™, envy™, Smitten®), Pears, Stone Fruits, Grapes, Cherries
Montague Farms Pty Ltd is one of Australia’s most prominent and innovative family-owned horticultural businesses, specializing in the growing, packing, marketing, and export of premium fresh fruit. With a legacy spanning over 70 years, Montague has established itself as a leader in the Australian fresh produce sector, known for pioneering new fruit varieties, investing in sustainable farming practices, and supplying some of the most recognizable proprietary fruit brands in the global market.
Company Overview and History
Founded in 1948, Montague began as a small wholesale produce business in Victoria and has since evolved into a vertically integrated agribusiness with operations across every level of the fruit supply chain—from breeding and growing to distribution and retail. Headquartered in Narre Warren North, Victoria, the company operates multiple orchards, packing facilities, and cold storage depots across Australia and is recognized for its leadership in varietal innovation and fruit intellectual property (IP) commercialization.
Product Portfolio
Montague’s product range is diverse, encompassing several major fruit categories, many of which include exclusive or licensed global brands:
Apples:
- JAZZ™
- envy™
- Ambrosia™
- eve™
- KISSABEL®
- yello™
- Smitten®
- Sweetango™
Stonefruit:
- the MONTAGUE tree™ range
- CROC EGGS™
- Nectara™
- Color-Cot™ (intensely colored apricots)
- Donut Peach
Other Fruits:
- Pears (Packham, Williams, Beurré Bosc)
- Plums, Nectarines, Peaches, Cherries
- Citrus and Table Grapes (seasonal varieties)
Montague is known for its dedication to consumer-focused fruit characteristics such as flavor, crunch, color, storage life, and nutritional value.
Operations and Infrastructure
Montague's operations span several states in Australia, with over 1,900 hectares of orchards and partnerships with more than 40 independent growers. The company has invested heavily in infrastructure to support high-volume production, including:
- Montague’s $66 million Fresh Produce Precinct in Narre Warren North: includes an automated high-care packhouse, cold storage, ripening rooms, and a visitor center
- Proprietary nursery and R&D facilities for breeding and variety development
- Controlled atmosphere storage technology to ensure year-round supply
- Robotic sorting and packing systems to enhance efficiency and product consistency
Global Export Presence
Montague exports to over 20 international markets, including:
- Asia: China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia
- Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia
- North America: Canada, USA
- Europe: Netherlands, UK, Germany
According to data from Austrade and industry trade platforms, Montague handles more than 1,200 export shipments annually, accounting for thousands of tonnes of premium fruit. Their licensed varieties such as envy™ and JAZZ™ are in high demand across Asian markets due to their sweetness, crunch, and shelf life.
Innovation and IP Commercialization
Montague has earned international recognition for its role in introducing and managing proprietary fruit IP in Australia. Through global partnerships with organizations such as T&G Global, International Pomefruit Alliance (IPA), and Plant & Food Research (New Zealand), Montague:
- Holds exclusive Australian rights to grow and market global apple brands such as envy™ and JAZZ™
- Leads varietal testing and commercial trials for early-season and climate-resilient stonefruit varieties
- Commercializes new fruit IP domestically and via export, often under co-branded initiatives with global partners
Sustainability Commitments
Montague is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, as outlined in its sustainability charter:
- Water Management: Utilizes soil moisture sensors and drip irrigation, reducing water usage by over 30% per hectare
- Carbon Reduction: Solar arrays power a significant portion of its facilities; electric forklifts and bio-packaging used across logistics
- Biodiversity Protection: Planting of native vegetation and pollinator-friendly zones across orchards
- Waste Minimization: Over 95% of fruit waste is recycled into compost or animal feed
The company released its Sustainability Brochure (2022) detailing progress across energy, waste, and social impact pillars.
Certifications and Food Safety
Montague adheres to strict food safety, quality, and export compliance standards, including:
- GlobalG.A.P.
- SQF Certification (Safe Quality Food)
- HACCP Compliance
- Freshcare Food Safety and Environmental Code
- China AQSIQ Export Accreditation
- Sedex membership for ethical supply chain management
All Montague fruit is traceable from orchard to retailer using digital batch coding and cold-chain tracking.
Strategic Retail and Foodservice Relationships
Montague supplies all major Australian supermarkets including:
- Woolworths
- Coles
- ALDI
- Costco
- Harris Farm Markets
They also maintain foodservice and wholesale partnerships across Australia and international retail chains via licensed brand distributors.
Consumer Engagement
In 2020, Montague opened Montague Orchard & Visitor Centre, a destination that includes:
- An educational orchard
- Apple and stonefruit tastings
- Montague Café and retail store
- Public engagement programs promoting healthy eating and local farming
This center reinforces the brand’s commitment to transparency, consumer trust, and fresh produce education.
Key Achievements
- Over 70 years in Australian horticulture
- First Australian grower to commercialize low-acid apple varieties
- Export growth of over 25% CAGR from 2018–2022 (per Hort Innovation Australia)
- $66M invested in post-harvest infrastructure and automation
- Strategic partnership with Plant & Food Research NZ for variety R&D
Montague Farms Pty Ltd continues to set the benchmark in Australian fruit production, leveraging innovation, sustainability, and global partnerships to deliver premium fresh produce that meets the evolving demands of markets worldwide.