Are Custard Apples in Season in May?

Custard apples are in season from March to August with peak availability occurring in June and July. Supply drops off considerably in spring and there is no fresh availability during summer.

When is Custard Apple Season in Australia?

Custard apples are a winter fruit with most of our supply appearing in autumn and winter. The season in Queensland spreads from March to August while the NSW season is mainly concentrated to June and July.

Custard apples prefer subtropical conditions and need shelter from high winds. Trees need approximately 3-5 years to begin commercial production. The fruits develop over 20-25 weeks from flowering to harvest.

Commercial growers in Australia like grafted varieties including African Pride and Pinks Mammoth, which can offer more consistent yields and quality. Custard apple pricing can be driven by labour cost as they must be hand-picked when mature but still firm to preserve quality and flavour.

Where do Custard Apples Come From?

Custard apples originated in tropical areas of the Americas, with native specied across Mexico, Central America and into South America. The most common varieties are the Andean cherimoya and the sugar apple from areas including the West Indies. The modern custard apple is actually a hybrid of the two, combining the preferred flavours of cherimoya with the adaptability of the sugar apple.

These fruits have been cultivated for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence suggesting their use by pre-Columbian civilizations.

In Australia, custard apples orchards are mainly along the east coast. Queensland produces about 50% of our national crop, mostly in the Sunshine Coast and Atherton Tablelands. Northern NSW produces the other 50%, with many farms around Lismore.

Queensland orchards mainly grow African Pride. This variety thrives in subtropical areas and resists fruit splitting. Northern NSW farmers prefer Pinks Mammoth. These trees produce larger fruits that fetch premium prices in the market.