More Koru apples on way from New Zealand

Container shipments of New Zealand-grown Koru apples have started arriving at U.S. ports.

The Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative expects to receive 115,000-130,000 40-pound bushel equivalents of Koru throughout the import season — an increase of about 50% from 2016 — with shipments arriving weekly through the month of June.

The first shipments have already sold, but retailers can inquire with Glenmont, N.Y.-based New York Apple Sales, Wenatchee, Wash.-based Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers and Yakima, Wash.-based Borton Fruit about future shipments. Those suppliers comprise the cooperative.

“Eighty percent of these apples are in the three prime sizes, really perfect-size fruit,” manager Tim Byrne said in a news release. “These apples are ideal in many ways — sweet flavor, crisp flesh, great color, and good size.”

Koru apples can be ordered in 26.5-pound two-layer retail display trays, 40-pound four-layer tray pack cartons, and pouch bags.

Promotional materials including display bins and high-graphic cartons are available free with the purchase of apples.