Latest News From Kiwifruit

Good fruit quality and an increase in demand helped the New Zealand-based kiwifruit marketer increase orchard gate returns for the 2023-24 season.

While still early in the season, Zespri said its latest supply estimate reflects the positive growing conditions seen across New Zealand in recent months.

Zespri’s SunGold has generated double-digit growth in both dollars and volume helping to solidify a top brand position, the marketer says.

Hailing from Italy and Greece, Red Passion-branded red kiwifruit is grown under a protective layer of plastic to deliver a consistent and high-quality eating experience, according to Oppy.

“Our Centre of Sales and Marketing Excellence is the gateway to all of our major markets ... and it was brilliant we could have our growers join us for this important event,” said Zespri CEO Dan Mathieson.

The USDA has announced that it has authorized imports of fresh baby kiwifruit from France into the continental U.S.

“It was another extremely challenging growing season in New Zealand, with a significant reduction in yields as a result of poor growing conditions,” said Zespri Chief Operating Officer Jason Te Brake.

Zespri is taking its “Taste the Obsession” consumer campaign to a new level by offering consumers a chance to win a trip to New Zealand to visit its orchards and meet its passionate growers.

Kiwifruit isn’t for everyone, but 18% of consumers polled by The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 survey said they purchased kiwifruit in the past year.

While the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee is projecting an overall decrease in volume compared with last season, fruit quality is expected to be superior.

Zespri’s 2022-23 financial results reflect a challenging period for the kiwifruit industry, according to a news release.

New Zealand kiwifruit marketer Zespri has reported that challenging weather events throughout the 2023 growing season have contributed to a lower-than-expected New Zealand kiwifruit crop this season.

To help drive new shoppers to stores, Zespri is launching a multichannel consumer campaign featuring digital advertising and sampling events for its SunGold Kiwifruit.

After a weak 2022 season and recent severe weather challenges, New Zealand-based kiwi producer Zespri is focusing on fruit quality for the 2023 season ahead.

Zespri is ready for Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure trade show in Orlando, Fla., where the company will feature new merchandising displays with updated graphics.

The San Joaquin Valley-based organic fresh produce marketing company is moving into the conventional space and building out its berry category with the acquisition.

The action will revise the size and uniformity requirements for all varieties of the Actinidia chinensis species of kiwifruit regulated under the marketing order.

The trial used the Hazel 100 sachet on the company’s exclusive kiwifruit variety, Mega Kiwi.

With the final volumes of the New Zealand kiwifruit crop set to depart over the coming weeks, Zespri is transitioning to fruit from its Northern Hemisphere partners in Italy, France, Greece, Korea and Japan. 

Retailers can stop by the redesigned Zespri booth #2487 to meet with regional and international staff and learn how Zespri SunGold Kiwi is driving the category to new levels. 

Just one year since its inception, T&G Fresh’s charity Fairgrow has today achieved the massive milestone of donating its one millionth kilogram of fresh produce to Kiwis in need across Aotearoa.

Visit the Zespri booth #171 during The New York Produce Show December 13-16, 2021.

Hazel Technologies, Inc. announces their final Quality Summit of 2021, featuring the kiwifruit category.

Zespri has confirmed that its current red kiwifruit will be named Zespri RubyRed Kiwifruit for the first year of sales of commercial volumes in the upcoming 2022 season.

Zespri is reaching out to retailers and to the produce trade industry for support in their social and influencer engagement activity as part of No Kid Hungry’s “Rebuilding” campaign.

The Chilean kiwifruit season is in full swing!

Homegrown Organic Farms announced the addition of organic kiwis to their product offering in 2020 and today is excited to expand the program with a specific brand for the jumbo variety -- Mammoth Kiwi. 

Retailers can plan for another successful season with the leader in kiwifruit as Zespri begins shipping its fruit in mid-May.

Hazel Technologies Inc. announces a new partnership with Reedley, CA-based Kliewer Farms, a leading grower of California kiwifruit, stone fruit, and table grapes. 

To meet growing consumer demand in North America, New Zealand-based Zespri is planning for year-round availability of SunGold kiwifruit and is testing the potential for growing the variety in the U.S.

The final shipments of this season’s New Zealand-grown kiwifruit have left Port of Tauranga bound for Zespri’s global markets, capping another strong season for the New Zealand kiwifruit industry. 

Homegrown Organic Farms, Porterville, Calif., will offer a Jumbo Kiwi from Greece for the first time this season, said Scott Mabs, chief executive officer.

The New Zealand kiwifruit industry will be boosted by three specialized reefer vessels following significant investment by operator Fresh Carriers.

For Zespri International, the Produce Marketing Association’s virtual Fresh Summit has been a great forum to push out merchandising information about the proprietary Zespri SunGold pack, Sarah Deaton said.

Santa Cruz, Calif.-based Awe Sum Organics is offering organic green and gold kiwifruit and organic Chilean blueberries this winter.

See the 2020 Fresh Trends Data on kiwifruit!

The California Kiwifruit Administrative Committee, Sacramento, is conducting grower elections.

California kiwifruit volume is expected to be down this fall compared to last year, but fruit size should be larger.

Dole Food Co., is adding recipes and videos, social media content and digital downloads to its summer promotion of unfamiliar fruits and vegetables through Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” and “Monsters University.”

Chicago-based Hazel Technologies has partnered with New Zealand rural supplies cooperative Farmlands to provide Hazel Trex technology to kiwifruit growers.

Homegrown Organic Farms, Porterville, Calif., is adding jumbo organic kiwifruit to its lineup.

Morning Kiss Organic, Chelsea, Mass., is adding gold kiwifruit to its list of products.

Zespri International Ltd. has added chief global supply officer Alastair Hulbert and Executive Officer of Europe and North America Giorgio Comino.

PureFresh Sales, Selma, Calif., will be using shelf life extending products from Hazel Technologies, Chicago, to keep its fruit fresher.

Mount Maunganui, New Zealand-based Zespri and Miami-based Fresh Directions International shared a booth at the first-ever United Fresh Live! virtual event.

Growers with New Zealand kiwifruit marketer Zespri International will be using a new product from Hazel Technologies to improve production.

Kids love kiwifruit, and that is reflected in the fact that families with kids were more likely to buy the fuzzy fruit than those without kids.

Jasa Packaging Solutions is promoting its Sleever, which can automatically put a cardboard sleeve around packages, for kiwifruit.

Trucco Inc., Bronx, N.Y., is introducing eco-friendly packaging for KiwiStar brand kiwifruit.

Zespri’s kiwifruit season is starting early in May, and messages to consumers are focusing on the nutritional benefit and flavor of the SunGold variety.