Custard Apple Farming | Growing Custard Apple to Earn Money

Annona reticulata is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen tree in the plant family Annonaceae. It is best known for its fruit, called Custard Apple, a common name it shared with fruits of several other species in the same genus: A. cherimola and A. squamosa or sometimes it is called wild-sweetsop, bull's heart, bullock's-heart, or ox-heart. The flavor of the fruit is sweet and pleasant.

Possibly a native of the Caribbean and Central America, Annona reticulata is now pantropical and can be found growing between altitudes of 0 metres (0 ft) to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) in areas of Central America that have alternating seasons. It is cultivated in many tropical countries, and also occurs as feral populations in many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Australia, and Africa.

Cultivated and naturalized in many parts of the world including Southeast Asia, Taiwan, India (Bengali - Ata, Nona; Hindi - Ramphal), Australia, and West Africa.


Australia grows about 200 hectares of Custard Apples, mainly in Queensland and northern New South Wales. In Queensland, the major production areas are the Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg district, Central Queensland and the Atherton Tableland. The type of custard apple grown in Australia is unique in the world. It is known botanically as an atemoya and is thought to be a cross or hybrid between the cherimoya (Annona cherimola) and the sweetsop or sugar apple (Annona squamosa).

Custard apple land and climate requirements:

Before planting custard apples, it is important to understand the land and climate attributes they need to flourish. The information on this page will help you decide if the land you have is suited to custard apples.

Soil

Custard Apples grow best in sandy loam soils, but well-structured clay loams are also suitable. Although the tree's main feeder roots are relatively shallow, at least 1 m of well-drained soil without heavy clay or rock is needed to avoid root rot and ensure good tree performance. Where the topsoil is less than 1 m deep, plant the trees on mounds.

If possible, avoid soils that have previously grown:

• tomatoes
• potatoes
• eggplant
• capsicums
• ginger.

These crops are potential hosts of the disease bacterial wilt, which custard apple is also susceptible to. The disease threat is worst in poorly drained soils.

Climate

The major climatic factors limiting commercial production of Custard Apples are temperature and humidity. Warm, well-protected, frost-free sites in districts receiving a predominantly summer rainfall are most suitable.

When to harvest

Fruit is usually harvested from about February to early November with the peak time in May/June. For Pinks Mammoth, KJ Pinks, Maroochy Gold and Hillary White, fruit are ready to be picked as soon as there is creaming of the grooves between the fruit carpels. However, knowing when to pick African Pride is much more difficult.

Determining maturity in African Pride involves a three-step process:

• Make sure it is close to the normal time of harvesting for African Pride in your district.
• Check fruit carefully for these external changes:
  • skin colour changing from dark green to a lighter green (dulling of colour)
  • grooves between the carpels widening and lightening in colour (creaming of the grooves may sometimes be present on the shoulders of the fruit)
  • carpels becoming fuller and more rounded, particularly at the base of fruit. (The fruit may also appear rounder and less pointed.)
    
• Harvest a sample of fruit, hold at room temperature and check that it ripens to good eating quality within seven days.

International and domestic markets for custard apples

• Domestic markets
• Export markets
• Interstate movement requirements
  
  

Domestic markets

There are many options for marketing your fruit. Here are the main ones.

Capital city produce markets

Most custard apples are sold fresh in major produce markets in capital cities. Fruit is consigned to wholesale agents who sell your fruit on commission and keep a percentage of the proceeds, or to wholesale merchants who buy your fruit at an agreed price.

Wholesale agents and merchants are an important source of market intelligence and your choice of a wholesale agent or merchant is extremely important. It is best to deal only with a specialist custard apple wholesaler and maintain regular contact. Also where possible, regularly visit the markets you supply to monitor the out-turn of your fruit. Seek advice on selecting wholesalers from local growers in your area.

Market authorities in each wholesale market have websites covering all aspects of their operations and the services they offer. Remember that you must meet the interstate movement provisions requirements defined by each state.

Export markets

Export has complex and specialized requirements and is normally only available to large growers, marketing groups or cooperatives. It requires strict attention to quality standards and quarantine requirements. Seek the advice of exporters or export market consultants before proceeding.

See More About Custard Apple

• Custard Apple almost ready for harvest
• Custard Apple
  

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