Kiwifruit

RubyRed Kiwifruit Now Available Nationwide

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:02:46 GMT

Zespri says it has launched its RubyRed kiwifruit this season in the U.S. and Canada. The company says the launch of RubyRed complements its portfolio of SunGold and green kiwifruit.

RubyRed kiwifruit offers a vibrant red interior and delicious, berry-sweet taste, according to. the company. The fruit is high in antioxidant vitamin C. It also includes anthocyanins, naturally occurring pigments that give it its vibrant red color.

Last season, Zespri rolled out RubyRed kiwifruit on the West Coast on a limited-time trial. The company says this trial allowed the brand to test logistics and confirm strong consumer enthusiasm. It also earned Zespri a 2025 Joe Nucci Innovation Award for introducing a novel product that enhances produce consumption.

“Zespri RubyRed kiwifruit is the result of over two decades of precision breeding and dedication,” says Darren LaMothe, Zespri’s president of North America. “It appeals to new households, expanding penetration and adding incremental buyers rather than shifting share within the kiwi category. Preliminary data from our West Coast trial shows RubyRed kiwifruit not only attracted curious trial shoppers, but it also converted them into engaged, multivariety kiwi buyers. Its performance validates that shoppers are ready for our berry-flavored RubyRed kiwi.”

Last season, Zespri began selling out of RubyRed kiwifruit in early April. The company says the variety helped double the household penetration for red kiwifruit shoppers in the U.S., added over 1 million new households and increased the buy rate for red kiwifruit by 26% compared to the prior year.

“RubyRed kiwi achieved full sell-through during its trial period and generated solid net returns to the business, which validates RubyRed kiwi as a true premium offering in the kiwi category,” LaMothe says.

Zespri says shoppers praised RubyRed kiwifruit’s taste, quality and striking appearance, with the majority expressing they would definitely buy again.

“The excitement from shoppers was immediate,” says Bianca Fiedler, Zespri’s trade marketing director of North America. “RubyRed kiwi’s vibrant color, naturally sweet taste and sensory experience delivered strong consumer resonance and excitement at shelf.”

Zespri says RubyRed kiwifruit marks a pivotal step in its strategy to expand into new demand spaces and deliver elevated fruit experiences.

The company says it offers a fully integrated support plan spanning social platforms, foodie creator content, registered dietitian engagement, earned media and local TV coverage alongside robust digital trade support and impactful in‑store, point-of-sale materials designed to drive incremental sales.

Zespri says RubyRed kiwifruit can drive incremental category growth and build shopper momentum ahead of its SunGold and green kiwifruit season start. In the weeks leading up to last season’s SunGold arrival, total kiwifruit category dollar sales across the Western U.S. climbed to a double-digit growth rate, which Zespri says demonstrates that RubyRed expanded the category rather than shifting existing demand. Once RubyRed and SunGold were available at the same time, overall category sales accelerated significantly across the region, the company reports.

“We’re excited to kick off the new season with the launch of our expanded product portfolio,” Fiedler says. “We have three varieties of kiwifruit for every flavor profile, and they are all packed with both nutrition and distinct flavor, which fulfills consumer demand for health-forward, high-value fresh produce. Our SunGold Kiwifruit is golden on the inside with a sweet taste; our green variety offers a balance of tangy and sweet flavor; and our new RubyRed has a bit of a berry flavor profile.”

Zespri RubyRed Kiwifruit Launches in New Markets

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 20:43:49 GMT

Zespri says its RubyRed kiwifruit will be available in 16 markets this season, including Australia, Vietnam and Canada for the first time.

The company expects 5 million trays, or 18,000 tons, of the fruit this season. This is up from 3 million trays last season as more orchards increase production. Zespri says its volume to the U.S. will triple this year, with retail sales expected in mid-April.

Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake says RubyRed kiwifruit continues to be popular with consumers and plays an important role in starting the company’s sales season with strong momentum.

“RubyRed kiwifruit is the first of our kiwifruit harvested each season, helping create excitement and secure early shelf space ahead of our SunGold and green kiwifruit — something we saw last season with strong sales and positive feedback from our markets,” Te Brake says. “Building on last year’s successful introduction of RubyRed in the United States and strong volume growth in North America over recent seasons, we’re now able to expand beyond the Western States and into Canada.”

The company also plans increased volumes in Zespri’s core markets of China and Japan, with RubyRed sales programs already underway in China. Zespri RubyRed kiwifruit is also now available on shelves in New Zealand.

“Our first 25,000 trays of RubyRed in Shanghai largely sold out to key distributors and retailers, supported by our greater use of e-commerce platforms such as Douyin — the local version of TikTok — with around four days’ worth of sales from traditional channels completed in approximately four hours,” Te Brake says.

Te Brake says RubyRed has a shorter shelf life with a season of about eight weeks, adding that consumers have taken to the fruit’s bright red color and berrylike taste.

“It contains a number of antioxidants such as anthocyanins — naturally occurring pigments that give the fruit its red color — and is a good source of folate, potassium and vitamin C and E,” he says. “RubyRed is also helping attract new and younger consumers to the kiwifruit category, as well as the wider fruit category.”

Zespri commercialized a new red variety, Red80, to extend the commercial selling season. Its harvest window is slightly later than the existing Red19 cultivar. Red80 also has a longer storage life, and the company says the two varieties help extend availability, build awareness and lift demand.

The company says it will make available a total of 100 hectares of Red80 licenses to growers in May 2026. Red80 is expected to reach commercial volumes in 2028, which Zespri says will help to meet the strong global demand for RubyRed kiwifruit.

Zespri Wraps Season With Record-Breaking Sales, Strong Category Performance

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 18:15:52 GMT

Zespri says its 2025 season outperformed previous sales periods, with a retail sales increase of 46% year over year. To build on this momentum, the company will share more about what it has in store for another season during the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 26 to March 1.

Retailers and trade show attendees can get a preview of a new consumer campaign and marketing programs by visiting Zespri’s booth, No. 825, at the event.

“2025 was a milestone season for Zespri in the U.S., not just in terms of sales, but in how kiwifruit is performing within the fruit bowl,” says Darren LaMothe, president of Zespri North America. “We saw exceptional results driven by expanded distribution, brand-led programs and strong in-store execution. Zespri kiwifruit continues to deliver a solid combination of volume growth and value retention, and that’s meaningful for retailers looking to drive both margin and momentum in the produce department.”

Zespri says it boosted both awareness and purchase through continued strong retail partnerships, standout in-store displays and packaging featuring the Zespri KiwiBrothers, along with robust marketing programs, which created a highly successful season for Zespri kiwifruit. Distribution of 1,500 new stores and an earlier start to the season also contributed to the success.

Additionally, expanded distribution of Zespri green and organic kiwifruit, the West Coast trial of Zespri RubyRed kiwifruit and strong consumer demand for Zespri SunGold kiwifruit all helped support the strong performance at retail. The company says kiwifruit is the fastest-growing fruit category in the department, posting 34% dollar growth versus a year ago, with Zespri leading the category.

“As we look to the 2026 season, our focus is on building from that foundation,” LaMothe says. “Coming off a record year and launching a new consumer campaign, we see significant opportunity to continue growing the category and delivering incremental value at retail.”

Zespri says shoppers love the taste of its kiwifruit, with a flavor profile for every occasion.

“From green to SunGold and now RubyRed, our variety of kiwifruit is packed with both nutrition and flavor, which fulfills what consumers want as they prioritize health-forward, high-value fresh produce,” says Bianca Fiedler, trade marketing director for Zespri North America. “Entering the new season, we’re excited to reinforce what makes Zespri unique in produce: Our kiwifruit ranks among the most nutritionally dense fruits, giving shoppers an easy and delicious way to boost their nutrition.”

Zespri says it is gearing up for a new campaign that taps into what consumers need most today: real nourishment in a world crowded with empty-calorie snacks and empty promises. As a nutrient-dense choice, the Zespri KiwiBrothers are on a mission to show shoppers there’s a better way to fuel their full, fast-paced lives. In 2025, their impact drove 1 billion digital impressions, 2 million samples and 50,000 in‑store displays that contributed to a 21% sales lift for SunGold kiwifruit, according to the company. Coupled with positive New Zealand growing conditions and consistent product quality, these efforts strengthened shopper demand and repeat purchases.

Zespri invites all attendees and industry friends to connect at its Southern Exposure booth to preview the new campaign and learn more about the merchandising shippers and bulk bins. Enhanced point-of-sale materials, including headers, wobblers, pole toppers and cutouts, are set to be rolled out in the new season, the company says. Retailers can meet with Zespri representatives at the booth for detailed information.

“We are excited to meet with retail partners to plan for the upcoming season and build on our continued momentum,” LaMothe says.

Move Over Chocolate: Fresh Del Monte Says Give the Gift of Fruit This Valentine’s Day

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:42:31 GMT

BERLIN — Fresh Del Monte showed retailers how an artificial intelligence-powered robot can inspire produce gift-giving this Valentine’s Day at last week’s Fruit Logistica 2026.

Its Servi robotic cart moved St. Valentine Special Edition mangoes, pineapples and Red Passion kiwifruit in and around its booth.

On display was a trio of St. Valentine Special Edition delights including Red Passion kiwifruit, a red-flesh fruit from Italy packed in “Zootopia 2” movie-themed packages; juicy and tender Fresh Del Monte Gold Baby Pineapples from Kenya by Air; and Mango by Air “Ready to Love” mangoes.

“The Kenyan baby pineapples are a bonsai, single-portion concept,” says Thierry Montagne, senior regional marketing director for Europe and Africa at Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., while the special edition Mango by Air makes a perfect gift for “your dear one.”

From red-fleshed kiwifruit to Mangoes by Air and baby pineapples from Kenya were among the Valentine’s Day-themed products on display from Fresh Del Monte at Fruit Logistica 2026.

(Photo: Jennifer Strailey)

Fresh Del Monte has seen success with Servi boosting banana sales in the U.S. The concept was trialed at three Chicago-area Jewel-Osco stores in October. The robotic cart outfitted with bananas on its trays approached shoppers in the produce aisle to pitch banana purchase and consumption.

“Sales of bananas increased at the Jewel stores as a result,” says Danny Dumas, senior vice president for Florida-based Fresh Del Monte. “It helped boost banana sales because it’s something new.”

Dumas says Fresh Del Monte may expand the robot trial to a few stores in Texas and New York as well.

The robot can play fun and informational videos and has sensors to stop when approached.

Store managers can program and change Servi’s route and offerings every day if they want, Montagne says.

Fresh Del Monte is also promoting exotic fruit on Facebook for Valentine’s Day.

“Still gifting the same Valentine’s favorites? Switch it up this year. Surprise them with something bold, unexpected, and unforgettable — Pinkglow,” says the company’s Facebook page touting the pink pineapple and offering creative usage and presentation ideas for the holiday and beyond.

Your next read: What’s the Future of the Produce Department? A Fresh Del Monte Exec Talks Vision, Strategy, New Acquisition

East Coast Produce Expo 2026 Rocks Hot Trends, Cool Produce and Olympic Gold

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 21:34:58 GMT

AVENTURA, Fla. — From mushrooms to Persian limes to murasaki sweetpotatoes to microgreens and more, exhibitors at East Coast Produce Expo 2026 showcased some of the hottest trends in produce at the JW Marriott Turnberry Resort and Spa, Jan. 12-13.

Highline Mushroom’s Janis Deschenes and Sabrina Pokomandy pose with colorful and whimsical signage at ECPE 2026.

(Photo: Jennifer Strailey)

Canada’s first certified mushroom company, Highline Mushrooms, invited attendees to “Eat Super. Feel Super.” It’s colorful and creative campaign featuring mushroom-headed people in fun poses continues to capture attention.

Robin Narron of Nash Produce says the new crop of sweetpotatoes “looks very good.”

(Photo: Jennifer Strailey)

Nash Produce shared the good news about this year’s sweetpotato crop.

“It looks very good,” says Robin Narron. “This is the best our potatoes have looked in a while.”

She also points to the increasing popularity of murasaki sweetpotatoes, a Japanese variety celebrated for its distinctive purple skin and creamy white flesh that offers a sweet, nutty flavor with a drier, starchier texture than orange sweetpotatoes.

Narron says Nash aims to meet increased demand and is planting additional murasaki acreage this spring.

Topline Farms’ Nick DiCarlo and Brian DiCarlo shared what it means to be Canadian greenhouse grown.

(Photo: Jennifer Strailey)

Topline has added 40 acres to its Canadian greenhouse-grown roma tomatoes farm in the past two years, says Brian DiCarlo.

“With greenhouses, you get quality and consistency,” he says, adding that Topline has steadily grown its retail and foodservice business.

From left, Eric Rosales, Jorge Aguirre and Juan Baechli of D Produce showcased the company’s year-round supply of limes from Mexico.

(Photo: Jennifer Strailey)

Growers and packers of Persian limes from Mexico, D Produce has packing facilities in three regions along the Gulf Coast. The company says packing in Veracruz, Oaxaca and Tabasco, allows it to produce the best quality organic and conventional limes and offer year-round availability to its retail and foodservice customers.

The Packer’s Denise Sundvold and Wada Farms Vice President Joe Esta strike a pose and chat potatoes.

(Photo: Jennifer Strailey)

“Wada Farms sweetpotato crop is right where it needs to be to be a good year for the grower,” says Vice President Joe Esta.

Russets are long this season, he adds.

Thankfully, a solid customer base and strong retail partnerships with grocers including Walmart and Kroger, will move crop along to the consumer, Esta says.

“During COVID people learned to cook, which has been great for potatoes,” he says. “Unlike other commodities, we thrived. I hope the interest in cooking continues because it’s been good for the industry.”

Sunswell Green’s John Halle and Daniela Alvarez say their greens are sold through 85% of Publix stores in Florida.

(Photo: Action Event Photography)

All of Sunswell’s greens are grown hydroponically indoors and reach retail shelves within 24 to 48 hours of harvest, says John Halle.

The Florida-based company with two facilities in Lake Worth and the Fort Myers area started growing nutrient-dense microgreens late last year, says Halle, who adds the interest in microgreens is being spurred by chefs using them in dishes.

Debbie Roger and Therese Mauch of Zespri Kiwifruit showcased RubyRed Kiwifruit, known for its vibrant color and high vitamin C content.

(Photo: Jennifer Strailey)

Zespri’s Debbie Roger says she’s excited for RubyRed kiwifruit season. RubyRed kiwifruit from New Zealand will be available nationwide beginning in mid- to late April, she says.

A naturally sweet, red-fleshed kiwi with a distinct berry-like flavor, Zespri RubyRed kiwifruit offers a colorful alternative to green or gold kiwis.

Roger says last season’s West Coast trial of RubyRed was a success with all incremental sales.

Misionero’s Hana Mohsin featured the company’s Garden Life washed and trimmed, field grown conventional lettuce.

(Photo: Jennifer Strailey)

The line, which recently received a brand refresh, includes lettuce wraps, romaine, green leaf, red leaf and deli leaf.

Zespri to Highlight Record-Breaking 2025 Season at IFPA

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 18:14:45 GMT

Zespri Kiwifruit says it’s returning to the International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce and Floral Show for the eighth time. The company says it plans to highlight the success of 2025 and help attendees strategize for 2026 at its booth, No. 1891.

Zespri Kiwifruit says that since the season began, the overall category has increased by more than 32% in dollar sales and more than 28% in volume. This double-digit growth has been fueled by expanded distribution of its green, organic RubyRed and SunGold kiwifruit.

“Our 2025 results prove the power of Zespri’s portfolio and retail partnerships,” says Darren LaMothe, general manager of North America. “By investing in distribution and shopper programs, we’re not just growing Zespri — we’re growing the entire kiwifruit category. This momentum sets the stage for us to more than double the market over the next five years.”

The company will also offer kiwifruit samples, an interactive giveaway activity, a walk-through of a “dream store” experience.

“Zespri is anticipating another highly engaging booth with non-stop traffic,” explains Bianca Fiedler, Zespri’s trade marketing director for North America. “It’s exciting to meet with retail partners during the show to help unlock new ideas and start planning for the upcoming season.”

Zespri will sponsor the breakfast and general session where attendees can sample kiwi-inspired dishes. There are also creative costumes and SunGold Kiwi samples planned for the 5K race, the company adds.

Zespri’s KiwiBrothers will also be available for meet-and-greets, the company says. The KiwiBrothers have netted nearly one billion digital impressions, two million samples distributed and 50,000 in-store displays.

“Our KiwiBrothers did it again! We’re seeing a surge in engagement,” LaMothe says. “People love spotting our mascots at events, catching them on the big screen, and then discovering them in-store. It’s a fun, memorable way to connect with our audience and keep the brand top of mind.”

Giumarra Shares Fall Fruits Outlook for Retailers

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 18:27:21 GMT

As the season shifts from summer to fall, so does the offerings of fresh produce for The Giumarra Companies. Gary Caloroso, regional business development director for the Los Angeles-based company, shares a preview of fall fruits.

Caloroso says persimmons continue to grow in popularity with retailers.

“Persimmons offer outstanding qualities, great taste, strong nutritional value and versatile uses that resonate with shoppers,” he says. “Their vibrant orange color also makes them a perfect fit for merchandising and promotions, especially around Halloween.”

Giumarra’s Fuyu persimmons will run October through December and Sugar & Spice persimmons will begin at the end of fall, he says.

“This unique variety is rounded with a slightly elongated, acorn-like shape that is reminiscent of a Hachiya in form, yet ready to eat without ripening, like a Fuyu,” he says of Sugar & Spice. “Its flavor is sweet, with delicate hints of vanilla and warm cinnamon. The skin boasts a vibrant orange hue, while the light orange flesh reveals a beautiful star pattern when sliced.”

Caloroso says The Giumarra Companies developed a dedicated consumer website, DoYouFuyu.com to further promote its California persimmons.

California green kiwifruit will run from October through February, he says.

Caloroso says mandarins and navels will be available at the end of October. The Giumarra Companies will pack its mandarins under its Bright Bites label. He says the Bright Bites are easy-to-peel and ideal for school lunches or adding to recipes, thanks to its snack size.

“The fruit features a vibrant orange color, juicy texture, and a bright, sweet flavor,” he says.

Caloroso says Giumarra Companies also provides tailored marketing support to retailers that includes educational resources for produce managers and consumers, point-of-sale materials such as high-graphic bins and signage, sales contests, social media content and exclusive recipes.

“Our vibrant packaging and engaging merchandising displays help retailers generate excitement for our California citrus, kiwi and persimmons,” he says.

Zespri Forecast Projects Solid Year for Kiwifruit Growers

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 19:15:27 GMT

In its first full forecast for the 2025-26 season, Zespri says it is on track to deliver strong value back to growers.

Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake says the forecast reflects the strong start to the season, with average per-hectare returns forecast to reach record levels for all categories other than SunGold and organic green.

“Our latest forecast is positive news for growers in a season with even more fruit to sell, with sales tracking well across our key markets, including through the traditionally more competitive summer fruit season,” Te Brake says.

Seeing Europe and North America performing strongly is encouraging, he says, with Europe in particular having more than 2 million trays sold each week for the past 13 weeks.

“To support this demand, additional fruit has been reallocated to these markets from Asia, where local economic conditions have been more challenging,” Te Brake says.

“We’re also closely monitoring our progress in China, where macroeconomic conditions and sales rates are softer and where we have around 20% more inventory than preferred, with our team focused on selling fruit through quickly with less summer fruit in the market,” he adds.

At a per-tray level, forecast returns have lifted from the June forecast for all categories other than SunGold and Sweet Green, which remain within the indicative ranges provided in June, according to Zespri.

Te Brake says as Zespri moves through the summer fruit period and into the second half of the sales season, it remains focused on finishing the season strongly and maximizing value returned to growers.

The industry’s results gave it a strong platform for the future, with work underway on resetting Zespri’s 10-year plan to deliver ongoing value to growers, Te Brake says.

“Our previous 10-year plan saw us targeting $4.5 billion in sales by 2025,” he says. “With that fulfilled, our focus now shifts to how we remain future-fit in a global environment that will be more competitive and more complex than the environment we have been operating in previously.

“With this in mind, our 2035 ambition is focused on being the world’s healthiest fruit brand with our approach to be built around three key priorities — unleashing brand-led demand, transforming our global supply, and creating the product portfolio of the future and executing them well,” Te Brake adds. “We’re in the process of finalizing that strategy and setting ourselves up for the future to continue to deliver leading value back to our growers.”

Zespri readies promotions as season's first kiwifruit shipments head to U.S.

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 16:52:21 GMT

With an early start this anticipated this year, Zespri says its first shipment of SunGold kiwifruit is set to arrive in the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Philadelphia by mid-April, with green kiwifruit arriving by early May

Following favorable growing conditions, the 2025-26 harvest is projected to see an increase to over 200 million trays across varieties to be sold worldwide, according to a news release. North America retailers planning for the Zespri kiwifruit season can track shipments in real-time to follow shipping vessels arriving to the East Coast and West Coast.

With the season set to get underway, Zespri says kiwi is the fastest-growing fruit in the fruit bowl and that demand is strong due to the brand’s ongoing retail partnerships, in-store displays and the introduction of its brand characters, the Zespri KiwiBrothers.

“Last season, we took our consumer campaign ‘Taste the Obsession’ to new heights through the introduction our KiwiBrothers brand characters in paid media and sampling activations,” Darren LaMothe, general manager of North America for Zespri, said in a news release. “The campaign surpassed key metric target and engagement benchmarks reinforcing the strength and impact of our characters driving the consumer connection. This season we are adding a strong retail component to the marketing mix to drive sales.”

Zespri says the KiwiBrothers have been helping lift sales and driving category growth across 19 markets globally for the past nine years.

As the KiwiBrothers take on the U.S. for a second season, they will continue a mission to spread the Zespri kiwifruit obsession by playfully attempting to be movie stars, according to the release. Through a suite of Hollywood-style trailers and cinematic campaign assets, consumers can join the KiwiBrothers and taste the obsession for themselves. Additionally, the KiwiBrothers will have a retail presence with a suite of touch points including new packaging, shippers, pole toppers, shelf talkers and digital assets.

“Our robust marketing initiatives expand the reach of our KiwiBrothers by bringing them in-store and through shopper programs to drive conversion,” LaMothe said. “Consumers view the KiwiBrothers’ characters on packaging as unique, creative and fun and it helps the brand stand out on shelf, which drives purchase.”

Zespri says it shipped over 50,000 display units nationwide last season as retailers recognized their effect in driving incremental sales. Key retailers are seeing an average sales lift of 110% during promotions featuring displays, the release said.

When the brand’s SunGold and green kiwifruit varieties are merchandised together, sales increased by 32% compared to another green kiwi brand, Zespri says. When organic varieties of Zespri’s SunGold and green kiwifruit are included in a display, there is an automatic halo effect of favorable consumer perception, the release said.

SunGold kiwifruit continues to be the main driver of growth for the brand, with dollar sales in the U.S. increasing 42% and volume sales rising 36% versus a year ago, the release said. To build on the success, Zespri says it is expanding its portfolio with a soft introduction of the RubyRed kiwifruit in the U.S.

The new variety will bring a unique flavor experience with a naturally sweet berry flavor, which is a differentiator from the SunGold kiwifruit, says Zespri, which adds that the RubyRed kiwifruit is high in antioxidant vitamin C and includes anthocyanins, which are natural plant nutrients that give it its vibrant red color.

“There’s a lot of excitement from consumers for our new variety,” LaMothe said. “We have a pilot program for three weeks for West Coast retailers at the start of the season. This trial period will help Zespri gather key insights, refine logistics and optimize support before a nationwide expansion.”

Zespri reaffirms investment in sustainable innovation

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:05:10 GMT

Kiwifruit marketer Zespri says it has reaffirmed its $2 million investment to ZAG, the Zespri Innovation Fund, in a commitment to accelerating sustainable innovation.

Following the launch of ZAG in November 2023, Zespri now seeks to rally innovators and pioneers to strengthen climate resilience across food systems and help create solutions that advance productivity and carbon-positive practices relevant to kiwifruit, according to a news release.

ZAG has already received more than 100 submissions from more than 15 countries, with 11 moving into pilot programs, according to Zespiri, which said ZAG will focus its funding on four areas:

Initiatives that are good for kiwifruit by driving superior quality and lifting on orchard productivity.
Initiatives that are good for people by promoting well-being through kiwifruit consumption.
Initiatives that are good for the environment by protecting and enhancing nature.
And finally, initiatives that foster a thriving kiwifruit industry, benefiting growers and the local communities they are a part of.

To date, ZAG pilot programs have explored a variety of sustainability efforts, including the use of biochar on kiwifruit orchards to increase orchard productivity while reducing emissions, technology that analyzes the unique chemical signatures emitted by fruit to support planning around kiwifruit harvesting, and the use of microwave sensing technology as a non-destructive method for quality assessment of kiwifruit without waste, Zespri said.

“We’ve had a really positive first year with ZAG. It’s helped connect us with innovative problem solvers from around the world to address key challenges our industry faces as we meet the growing demand for kiwifruit, but this is just the beginning,” Jiunn Shih, chief marketing, innovation and sustainability officer for Zespri, said in a news release. “For year two, we are heightening our efforts to focus on strengthening climate resilience and solutions that will help us grow a more sustainable future, one kiwifruit at a time.”

Zespri said ZAG will include solutions to help grow better kiwifruit while nurturing soil health by improving water retention, biodiversity and carbon storage to support growers, enhancing orchard resilience and safeguarding productivity while growing sustainably.

“We’ll also be refreshing the focus of ZAG every quarter, initially prioritizing climate resilience as part of our pledge to work with partners to be carbon positive by 2035, and then looking at other priorities,” Shih said.

Zespri forecasts strong returns for 2024-25 kiwifruit season

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 15:37:35 GMT

Zespri has released its first full forecast for the 2024-25 kiwifruit season, with forecast per hectare returns up from last season for all categories, according to a news release.

The report predicts record levels for green and organic green.

The full forecast follows the indicative ranges released in June for per tray and per hectare returns, the release said. In its August forecast of the 2024-25 marketing year, Zespri predicts a return of $7.80 per tray for Zespri green, $11.10 for Zespri organic green, $10.68 for Zespri SunGold, $13.45 for Zespri organic SunGold and $16.74 for Zespri RubyRed.

Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake said the latest forecast reflects both the strong season start and the competition seen more recently in markets, including from summer fruit.

“The industry put a lot of work into getting off to a really strong start to the season to meet early season demand and that’s set us up well in a year where we have a lot more fruit to sell,” Te Brake said in the release. “Although strong competition is always challenging around this time of the year, we’re already seeing signs that this fruit is moving off shelves and we expect this trend to continue over the next few weeks. The fact we’re on track for a strong lift in per hectare returns across all varieties this season, and record returns for green and organic green growers, is a testament to the hard work the industry has put in following a really challenging period.”

With a total crop of more than 190 million trays to sell, Zespri was focused on finishing the second half of the season strongly, Te Brake said.

“This season’s improved growing conditions have meant grower yields have increased and we’ve got a lot more fruit to sell,” he said. “But quality and demand are strong, and we’re well placed to deliver a strong result to growers.”

In-market campaigns will also support consumer demand and maximize grower returns, he added.

Increasing competition reinforced the importance of Zespri’s global supply strategy, set up by growers more than 20 years ago, Te Brake said. The strategy involves Zespri working with offshore growers in Italy, France, Japan, Korea and Greece to provide kiwifruit for 12 months of the year, allowing Zespri to have counter-seasonal supply in place to complement the New Zealand season and drive value for New Zealand growers, he said.

With the maximum 5,000 hectares of offshore SunGold plantings now allocated and the gap between supply and demand growing, the industry is discussing the potential expansion of its Zespri’s global supply program to protect value for the industry, the release said.

“The next stage of these conversations over the coming months will look at what a potential expansion of our [Zespri global supply] program might look like, as we make a decision as an industry on how ZGS can continue to deliver value for our industry,” Te Brake said.

Zespri says it is now seeking industry feedback on potentially expanding the current 5,000-hectare cap by up to 420 additional hectares of SunGold kiwifruit per year over six years across Italy, France, Japan, South Korea and Greece. Depending on the nature of those conversations over the next few months, Zespri may consider formally seeking grower support for expanding the Zespri global supply program via a producer vote, which would require 75% support to proceed, the release said.

Zespri sees dollar and volume gains

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 14:49:09 GMT

Zespri says it ended the 2023 season as the top-selling kiwi brand for the fourth straight year.

Zespri’s SunGold has generated double-digit growth in both dollars and volume helping to solidify the top brand position, according to a news release. The marketer said it has helped propel the kiwi category, outpacing the total fruit department growth rate by more than 7 points.

“Ending the season with positive sales results is always rewarding,” Darren LaMothe, Zespri’s general manager of North America, said in the release. “Our success is attributed in part to our distributors and retail partners, and we would like to thank them for a successful season as we look forward to planning the new season in May.”

The synergy between Zespri’s marketing efforts and in-store placement helped drive retail sales of Zespri’s SunGold Kiwi, the release said. Zespri said its “Taste the Obsession” consumer campaign generated over 1 billion impressions and distributed 2.5 million samples igniting trial for the fruit.

Additionally, retailers built prominent merchandising displays with placement in the produce department, according to the release. Retailers continued to see strong sales increases with these in-store displays, which resulted in an increase of $6 million in sales compared to a year ago, Zespri said.

Prospects are good for the coming season, the release said.

“It’s been a positive growing season so far with great weather conditions and we’re expecting a good yield and a great-tasting crop this year,” Zespri growers Jeff and Shirley Roderick said in the release.

Zespri said it is planning a new consumer marketing campaign and merchandising opportunities to start another new season off strong and fuel its purposeful growth.

“We are eager to work with retailers to build customized programs introducing shoppers to the kiwi category and continually drive incremental sales for the department,” LaMothe said in the release.

Zespri encourages retailers to reach out to account managers now to start developing plans for the new season, which begins in May, the release said.

New study from Zespri examines impact of fruit and vegetable consumption on children's well-being

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 12:59:59 GMT

What’s the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and a child’s well-being? This is the focus of the latest Feel Good Study from Zespri , which looked at produce consumption among 70 children, aged 8-10 years old.

Almost 1 in 2 children globally are not consuming enough fruits and vegetables, says Zespri, pointing to a study in the Public Library of Science Global Public Health Journal.

Conducted by researchers at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, the study primarily aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a 10-week fruit and vegetable dietary intervention in primary school and the measurement of mental and cognitive health outcomes, according to a news release. It also investigated the effects of increased consumption of fruits and vegetables on children’s well-being.

“As stewards of the next generation’s well-being, we understand the profound impact that early nutrition has on a child’s lifelong health. It is only through cultivating positive eating habits in a sustainable manner that we can truly make a difference and thrive as a healthier society with a brighter future,” said Ng Kok Hwee, general manager of global marketing for Zespri.

The feasibility study explored strategies to increase exposure to unfamiliar fruits and vegetables to promote acceptance in children. Increased acceptance from childhood paves the way for healthy dietary habits that extend to adulthood, in turn leading to improved overall well-being, the release said.

“We’ve always been invested in learning more about the nutritional benefits of kiwifruit to human health, but with this study, we sought to dig deeper into the nutritional outcomes of fruits and vegetables as part of a whole diet approach,” said Paul Blatchford, Zespri innovation manager for core products. “We investigated areas that have not been studied as much — in particular, well-being and cognitive development — to show how choosing fruits and vegetables is not just a nutritional or dietary decision, it is an investment into the well-being of the child.

“This study represents Zespri’s first step in understanding the tangible benefits to well-being,” Blatchford continued. “Given the varying nutritional challenges in each market, we plan to go beyond taking this first step and extend this research to future studies in our key markets.”

The Feel Good Study demonstrated the potential of increasing fruit and vegetable acceptance and overall diet quality, as well as vegetable intake among participants through raising awareness of the diverse produce options available locally, the release said.

The intervention also prompted positive changes in parental behavior, with increased awareness of healthy eating leading to a conscious selection of more low-fat, low-sugar options for their children. And the study demonstrated a positive improvement to emotional well-being scores in the intervention group compared to the control group, the release said.

“The Feel Good Study intervention had a robust design, incorporating both home- and school-based strategies to promote healthier habits among children,” said Clare Wall, head of discipline for nutrition, faculty of medical and health sciences at the University of Auckland.

“With a focus on experiential learning, the school sessions engaged students in interactive sensory experiences, complemented by the delivery of fruit boxes to encourage additional fruit consumption during the school day,” Wall added. “Meanwhile, the home-based component provided families with weekly vegetable boxes, complete with recipes and tips, aiming to foster sustained engagement and long-term benefits.”

In schools, the study found that educational strategies focused on incorporating elements of fun and enjoyment helped in building positive associations and promoting fruit and vegetable consumption in children.

At home, the study found that empowering parents with knowledge and practical tips on diverse fruit and vegetable preparation methods fosters a wider range of options for their children, reducing food neophobia.

Parents are key influencers in shaping children’s food preferences and by incorporating fruits and vegetables into their diets, they model a healthy example for their children, the release said.

Full details of the study methodology, results, and recommendations for future iterations can be found in the research study online .

New Zealand kiwi season kicks off with first shipment heading to Japan

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 16:15:51 GMT

The first shipment of the 2023 New Zealand kiwifruit season has departed the Port of Tauranga carrying around 2,500 tons (more than 600,000 trays) of Zespri SunGold kiwifruit to customers in Japan.

The Southampton Star is the first of 53 charter vessels Zespri will use this season to deliver around 145 million trays of green, SunGold and RubyRed kiwifruit to more than 50 countries this season. The vessel is expected to reach Tokyo in early April before sailing onto Kobe, Japan, according to a news release.

Charter vessels will be responsible for delivering around 72 million trays of this season’s New Zealand-grown fruit to Zespri’s global consumers. This season’s charter program includes two vessel services to the West Coast in the U.S., three services to northern Europe, seven to the Mediterranean and 41 to Asia. An additional 73 million trays of kiwifruit will be shipped using container services, according to the release.

“Demand for our fruit remains strong, and with this season’s harvest ramping up over the coming weeks, we’ll soon move into main pack where the bulk of our fruit is harvested,” Zespri acting Chief Global Supply Officer Jason Te Brake said in the release. “It’s a proud moment seeing the first ship taking our fruit to customers and consumers but especially this year given it’s been such a challenging start to the year for some of our growers.”

Related news: Zespri to launch new campaign, merchandising displays at SEPC

Te Brake added that after a challenging 2022 and a tough start to 2023 because of adverse weather events, the start of the new season represented a reset for the industry.

What’s more, lower fruit volumes and having more labor available this season provides an opportunity for the industry to focus on improving fruit quality, which will play a key role in returning more value to growers and communities, Te Brake said in the release.

“The industry’s Quality Action Plan was launched in October last year and has seen significant collaboration throughout the entire industry to ensure we deliver great quality fruit for our customers and consumers in the 2023 season, as well as in the years ahead,” Te Brake said in the release. “That starts with ensuring that we’re doing everything we can to have a great harvest and looking after the fruit throughout the supply chain.”

One of the key principles within the Quality Action Plan, according to the release, is assessing fruit flow decision-making from end-to-end.

“While Covid-19 caused significant shipping disruption in recent years, we’re expecting a more stable shipping environment this season, with better transit times delivering fruit to markets,” Te Brake said in the release. “With our first charter vessel now on the way to market, we’re looking forward to our shipping program ramping up in the weeks ahead and continuing to work with our shipping partners to provide consistently high-quality Zespri Kiwifruit for our customers and consumers to enjoy this season.”

Zespri opens global hub in Singapore with fanfare

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:02:03 GMT

Zespri has recently officially opened its new Centre of Sales and Marketing Excellence in Singapore. First established in 2015, the facility is a vital hub for Zespri’s markets, as well as for connecting markets with growers in New Zealand and offshore, according to a news release.

The new office was completed in late 2020 but COVID-19 and associated travel restrictions in recent years delayed an official opening until now. Zespri CEO Dan Mathieson says the Singapore hub plays a critical role in Zespri’s ability to return value back to growers and communities.

“Our Centre of Sales and Marketing Excellence is the gateway to all of our major markets and the heartbeat of our sales and marketing strategy, supporting our 17 offices around the world, and it was brilliant we could have our growers join us for this important event after the extended COVID-enforced delay,” Mathieson said in the release.

New Zealand High Commissioner to Singapore Gabrielle Rush and New Zealand Trade Commissioner Maggie Christie attended the opening, along with around 60 growers from New Zealand as part of the first industry tour since COVID-19, which included visits orchards, packhouses and key markets in Europe, the release said.

Tauranga Moana Kaumatua Turi Ngatai blessed the office and bestowed a traditional Māori carving which symbolizes the connection to Zespri’s roots in the Bay of Plenty, where the majority of Zespri kiwifruit is grown. The office features several collaboration spaces and a base camp area where the New Zealand kiwifruit industry’s history is on display, with a mural demonstrating the connection between New Zealand and Singapore, where Zespri has been selling kiwifruit for more than 30 years, according to the release.

“The hub has been pivotal in the ongoing strengthening of our brand, including the global roll-out of our successful KiwiBrothers campaigns, which has helped us grow demand and attract new consumers, and we’re looking forward to this continuing in the years ahead,” Mathieson said.

Mathieson says Zespri had been able to recruit several sales and marketing experts from the fast-moving consumer goods sector as it continued to invest in strengthening the way it sells kiwifruit and the Zespri brand.

“The hub and the people we’ve been able to attract has been pivotal in accelerating our growth over the past eight years, including changing the way we partner with our distributors and retailers, which has enabled us to return more value back to our industry,” he said. “Our sales and marketing programs have been a key driver of value creation in the category which has seen Zespri’s total global kiwifruit sales increase from $1.9 billion in 2015-16 to $3.92 billion last year.”

Māori Kiwifruit Growers Inc. grower Geoff Rolleston attended the opening and said the event reinforced and celebrated the important cultural connections between Māori, New Zealand growers and the Zespri teams, which are truly multicultural.

“The sharing of culture strengthens the partnerships and connection and it’s these long-term relationships that underpin the success of the industry and the connection to people and communities,” Rolleston said in the release.

Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower Ray Sharp said in the release that it’s important for growers to see the work that takes place across the markets to bring kiwifruit and the Zespri brand to life for consumers and customers. The Centre of Sales and Marketing Excellence now plays a leading role with some very talented people, he added.

Final shipments of Zespri’s 2023 kiwifruit season set sail

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 17:27:36 GMT

About 782 tons of Zespri SunGold and 3,621 tons of Zespri Green kiwifruit have departed on the Discovery Bay ship — the final installments of Zespri’s kiwifruit season — and are expected to reach Tokyo in early October.

After Tokyo, the shipment will sail on to Kobe, Japan, and then to South Korea, according to a news release.

Zespri Chief Operating Officer Jason Te Brake says there’s been a huge effort across the industry to deliver this season’s lower crop volume to customers in more than 50 countries around the world this season.

“It was another extremely challenging growing season in New Zealand, with a significant reduction in yields as a result of poor growing conditions,” Te Brake said in the release.

Related news: Fresh Trends 2023: A look at the kiwifruit consumer

Zespri has chartered 51 vessels to ship this season’s kiwifruit from New Zealand in total — including four ships to Northern Europe, eight to the Mediterranean, two to North America’s West Coast and 37 to Asia, according to the release. The season’s final container shipments carrying the remaining 2,540 tons of kiwifruit are also expected to deliver over the coming weeks, the release said.

“While lower yields have put real pressure on growers, the industry has focused on maximizing value in market and through the supply chain. That’s meant a commitment to improving fruit quality which has been tracking significantly better than last year, and closer to what we saw in 2021,” Te Brake said in the release. “We’ve also implemented strong pricing this season, with per tray returns at the high end of early season guidance.”

Compared to the 2022 season, Zespri will be finishing around eight weeks ahead of last year, which was a strategic decision to avoid late season quality costs for growers, he continued.

Looking ahead as New Zealand’s 2024 season

Te Brake also confirmed that planning for next year is underway, with significantly more fruit expected to help meet strong consumer demand.

“Planning for the 2024 season is being led by the Industry Advisory Council, made up of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated members, post-harvest and Zespri’s senior leadership, and as part of this we’re looking at what changes we need to make to further lift quality and respond to the higher volumes we expect next season,” he said.

Related news: Zespri Kiwifruit takes consumer campaign to ‘new level,’ offers chance to win trip to New Zealand

Early indications suggest that New Zealand will have a good level of growth for both Zespri Green and Zespri SunGold kiwifruit in 2024, which are anticipated to bounce back from the challenges of the past two seasons, Te Brake said.

“But, as a primary industry, we’re still subject to weather-related challenges,” he said. “We are focused on ensuring we get the whole supply chain working well — from producing a quality product, getting it to market in great shape and then getting as much value as we can when it gets there, as this is crucial to ensuring we’re able to deliver more value back to our growers and communities.”

Regardless, the industry is looking forward to finishing the New Zealand season well and transitioning to the Northern Hemisphere supply during the New Zealand off-season, Te Brake said.

Red Passion kiwifruit increasing for Oppy

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:57:55 GMT

Oppy says it is ramping up its volume of red kiwifruit after bringing it to North America a decade ago.

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 a news release. Oppy said its internal testing revealed high Brix levels and sweetness characterized by tropical berry undertones from its golden interior and red starburst center.

“We’re thrilled to be able to supply more of this exciting piece of fruit to our retail customers,” Oppy Vice President of Tropicals Fernando Caudillo said in the release. “Always on the lookout for new produce items, the red kiwifruit will certainly fill that space on their shelves as it continues to gain traction with consumers as a unique, nutrient-dense and delicious addition to their basket.”

In 2022, Oppy supplied over 45% of all kiwifruit imported to North America, according to U.S. Census Bureau trade data and Statistics Canada, with red kiwifruit further expanding its reach in the market, the release said.

Available in bulk cases and 1-pound clamshells, Oppy recommends stocking Red Passion’s attractive and engaging clamshell as it establishes its familiarity on the shelf, Category Director of Tropicals Eric Ziegenfuss said in the release.

“This will help consumers quickly identify the differences between red kiwifruit and other varieties. And as this seasonally colored fruit arrives in the produce aisle amid the holidays, shoppers will appreciate its ideal fit for festive charcuterie boards and fruit platters,” Ziegenfuss said.

Available December through January, red kiwifruit will continue to grow within Oppy’s portfolio into the future, the release said.

Zespri unveils promotions, displays as kiwifruit season approaches

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 19:06:35 GMT

Retailers can expect the first New Zealand kiwifruit of the season at the end of April, says Zespri . Shipping vessels are destined for the Port of Philadelphia and the Port of Los Angeles, according to a news release.

The kiwifruit marketer said retailers can expect customized programs, refreshed merchandising displays and promotional programs highlighting the new season to hit stores in mid-May.

Zespri says it has updated its yellow merchandising display to tie into its “Taste the Obsession” consumer digital campaign that includes social, email, video, display advertising, Ibotta promotions, sampling, event activations and more.

“It’s a delicious and nutritious fruit that aligns with consumers’ growing health and wellness needs,” Jeanne Wilson, head of marketing North America for Zespri, said in the release. “To enhance our ‘Taste the Obsession’ campaign, we will be introducing our Zespri KiwiBrothers to America. The dynamic duo of SunGold and Green brand characters will start their journey through social media, connected TV, audio streaming and events.”

Zespri noted that SunGold kiwifruit is making Good Housekeeping’s 2024 Best Snack Award list in the Powerhouse Produce category.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized for our commitment to growing our kiwi for taste, not just size or yield. And it’s an honor to have health professionals continue to endorse Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit as a remarkably healthy and delicious snack,” Wilson said.

Zespri looks for strong growth in kiwifruit supply

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 15:46:32 GMT

The upcoming New Zealand kiwifruit season has the potential to be a year of strong growth across all kiwifruit offerings, Zespri reports.

Zespri expects to ship around 193 million trays of New Zealand kiwifruit to markets around the world, according to a news release.

While still early in the season, Zespri said its latest supply estimate reflects the positive growing conditions seen across New Zealand in recent months. This season’s crop will be a significant increase on the 133 million New Zealand trays shipped last season and also up on the 175 million trays shipped in 2021, according to the release.

The key focus for Zespri this year is delivering consistently good-quality fruit to customers and consumers throughout the season to help maximize the value returned to growers and communities, Zespri CEO Dan Mathieson said in the release.

“It’s been a far more settled growing environment compared to the last couple of seasons when growers were facing a number of challenges, including the impact of COVID-19, the significant labor shortage in 2022 and the many climatic events that New Zealand experienced in 2023,” Mathieson said. “ While it’s still early, the crop is looking excellent and there’s a lot of excitement and optimism in the industry.”

Managing the increased volume of fruit throughout the supply chain and delivering consistently good-quality fruit was a key consideration in the industry’s season planning process, Mathieson said.

“We’re trying to make sure we’re striking the right balance of having a good source of early-season fruit to capitalize on early-season sales opportunities and having fruit that stores well so that we can have a consistent flow of fruit through the season and minimize late-season quality issues,” he said.

Zespri's latest forecast shows high returns for end of season

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 20:05:21 GMT

New Zealand kiwifruit marketer Zespri says its final forecast of the 2023-24 season shows a strong return for green, organic green, SunGold and RubyRed kiwifruit.

The February forecast shows green at $9.44 a tray, which the company said is up from last season’s orchard gate return of $5.78 a tray.

Its SunGold returns are at $12.62 a tray, which the company said is up from last year’s OGR of $9.97 a tray. Organic SunGold returns are at $14.21 a tray.

Zespri said its RubyRed has forecast a record average per-try return of $26.54, which is up from last season’s figure of $22.27 OGR.

Zespri CEO Dan Mathieson said a focus on fruit quality and efficiency helped improve returns.

“The lift we’ve seen in all of our per-tray returns is a real credit to the hard work that’s taken place across the industry and throughout our global supply chain to improve quality,” Mathieson said in the release. “It’s really helped our markets to maintain strong run rates and maximize value while closing out the season with all categories other than organic SunGold kiwifruit expected to deliver record per-tray returns.”

Mathieson said the team at Zespri was pleased to see a boost in green kiwifruit returns. He noted an increased value in Europe and strong performances in Japan and North America helped secure a higher return for the company.

“We’ve also seen strong demand for SunGold kiwifruit and RubyRed kiwifruit has continued to perform strongly, which we expect to see continue as RubyRed becomes the first of this year’s crop to hit stores soon,” he said.

Zespri said it expects a crop of 193 million trays for the 2024-25 season. Mathieson said a major focus for the next season will be quality fruit.

“We know that when we get good fruit to market it sells and sells well, so continuing to focus on providing our customers and consumers with great kiwifruit throughout the season will again be our focus,” he said. “As well as the focus on per tray returns, we’re also looking forward to seeing improved per hectare returns for growers in the coming season, with our February crop estimate showing a strong improvement in expected yields.”

Related: Zespri looks for strong growth in kiwifruit supply

Strong demand and fruit quality drive positive forecast for Zespri growers

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 15:43:45 GMT

Zespri has released its November forecast for the 2024-25 season with forecast returns up across almost all categories from the last forecast in August.

According to a news release, forecast orchard gate returns have increased for all categories other than RubyRed kiwifruit at a per-tray level. Meanwhile, forecast per hectare returns are now at record levels for green and organic green kiwifruit due to improved yields while maintaining strong market value, according to Zespri.

Forecast per hectare returns for SunGold kiwifruit are up from August and remain steady for Green14 and RubyRed, the release said.

According to the November forecast, the average per-tray Zespri kiwifruit returns were:

Zespri green — $8.10 per tray.
Zespri organic green — $11.17.
Zespri SunGold — $11.22.
Zespri organic SunGold — $14.32.
Zespri Green14 — $8.47.
Zespri RubyRed — $16.60.

“The lift in forecast orchard gate returns reflects the strong fruit quality we’ve seen this season when there’s been a record crop of more than 190 million trays to sell,” Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake said in the release. “There’s strong demand for Zespri kiwifruit, which is supporting a strong season finish with our teams in market focused on minimizing late-season quality costs.”

Te Brake said SunGold quality has been particularly strong this season, supported by strong sales in Zespri, while green quality has become more challenging at the back end of the season.

“We’re managing this with just a few weeks’ worth of fruit left to sell as we look to maximize the value we return to growers,” he said. “It’s pleasing to see the industry’s efforts in delivering quality fruit at large volumes to our customers, and we look forward to closing out the New Zealand season strongly.”

Zespri says kiwifruit season off to a strong start

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 13:53:35 GMT

Kiwifruit marketer Zespri said its 2024 season is off to a strong start with about 75% of its crop — one of the largest at more than 190 million trays — shipped from New Zealand to Zespri customers around the world.

The company said its focus is on driving sales and preserving value for growers during the competitive summer fruit season.

“There has been significant effort from the industry to deliver a fantastic crop of high-quality fruit, which allowed us to capitalize on early season sales opportunities,” Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake said in a news release. “We’re now in a period that is traditionally more challenging on the back of the arrival of summer fruit, which is something we see every year.”

Te Brake said kiwifruit faces strong competition from peaches, berries, melons and grapes, which are more available in volume and lower prices.

“While strong competition has seen sales rates in most of our major markets ease back from the record highs we’ve seen in the early parts of the season, feedback from our customers has been clear that they have huge confidence in the quality of our fruit this season, and they want more of it,” he said.

Zespri also has experienced an increase in competition in kiwifruit from Chilean green kiwifruit in the U.S. market, Te Brake said, but the Zespri sales team focused on strong sales leading to better position the company leading into the summer fruit season.

“With summer fruit experiencing tough growing conditions this season, it’s likely to be off shelves earlier with competition expected to subside in the next month and we’re already seeing signs of this starting to ease in some of our key markets,” he said. “This season’s fruit quality has us well placed to close out the season strongly in the remaining months as this summer fruit exits the market, capitalizing on clearer space in the market to support returns to our grower.”

Te Brake said Zespri remains focused on delivering a record crop and executing strong campaigns to drive sales.

PureFresh Sales uses Hazel Tech on fruit for freshness

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:39:32 GMT

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

Since PureFresh started using Hazel Tech products with some its fruit shipments, the company has reported increased sales and a drop in lower-quality claims, according to a news release.

“Since implementing Hazel Tech in our programs, we have seen a 55% reduction in quality claims,” Bill Purewall, president of PureFresh Sales, said in the release. “This savings not only creates value for our business, but also creates value for the environment, reducing food waste and ultimately making our supply chain more sustainable long-term.”

More than 150 growers, packer and retailers use Hazel Tech products on fresh produce to maintain freshness and reduce food waste, according to the release.

PureFresh ships cherries , kiwifruit , nectarines , peaches , plums , apricots and other fruit.

Related stories:

Zespri boosts kiwifruit production through Hazel Tech

Holistic Solutions Global treats fruit with Hazel Tech products

Grower Alliance uses Hazel Tech on Mexican melons

California kiwifruit growers voting on marketing order members

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:44:49 GMT

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

Ballots were mailed Aug. 20 and should be returned to the U.S. Department of Agriculture postmarked no later than Sept. 7. Candidates who are eligible but were not nominated can submit their names as write-in candidates, according to a news release.

Kiwifruit growers who supply the fresh market, and their employees, are eligible candidates.

The nominations are for members and alternate members whose terms expire July 1, 2022, and to fill vacant seats in alternate member positions for the current term, which ends July 31, 2021, according to the release.

The kiwifruit committee administers the federal marketing order for kiwifruit. There are 10 growers and alternates, a public member and alternate.

Direct questions to the California Kiwifruit Administrative Committee at 916-441-0678 or calkiwi@agamsi.com.

Related story:

California kiwifruit crop a little lighter than last year

2020 Fresh Trends Data: kiwifruit

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:35:50 GMT

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. The likelihood of a purchase increased according to the number of children in the household, and consumers with three kids at home were among the most likely to buy kiwi overall.

Probably because of the family factor, shoppers age 58 and younger were the most likely to buy kiwi when considering age—purchases fell sharply for consumers age 59+.

The traditional green-fleshed kiwifruit is the most popular, with 61% of shoppers saying they preferred this variety. The golden kiwi is a top choice for 20% of shoppers (17% said they had no preference at all).

This fruit is a hearty and sweet snack, and two-thirds of kiwi buyers used the fruit in this way. It also makes a healthy dessert—18% served it this way. Kiwi was also popular as a salad (16% said so) and a side dish (14% used it this way).

The likelihood of a kiwi purchase increased according to income for the fourth consecutive year.

Hispanic and Asian shoppers were the most likely ethnic groups to buy kiwi, and in fact, they were the most likely to buy the fruit overall this year.

More than one-third of kiwi buyers (34%) said they selected organic fruit at least some of the time, up from 22% who said the same last year. One-fifth of kiwi buyers said they always bought organic fruit.

Zespri welcomes new Fresh Carriers vessel MV Kowhai into its shipping fleet

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 19:59:48 GMT

The New Zealand kiwifruit industry will be boosted by three specialized reefer vessels following significant investment by operator Fresh Carriers, underpinned by their confidence in the kiwifruit industry and their longstanding relationship with Zespri .

The first of three vessels, MV Kowhai, arrived at the Port of Tauranga this morning to begin loading 4,219 tonnes of Zespri Kiwifruit ahead of its maiden kiwifruit voyage bound for Japan.

Zespri’s Chief Global Supply Officer Alastair Hulbert joined the commemoration event with a number of industry colleagues at the Port of Tauranga, and is pleased to mark the start of the vessel’s working life.
“Zespri is committed to building lasting relationships with our partners around the world and the New Zealand kiwifruit industry has benefitted immensely from the partnership we’ve forged with Fresh Carriers and their New Zealand-based agents Oceanic Navigation over the last 30 years,” says Mr Hulbert.

“Safely and quickly transporting our fruit to market is critical, and our charter vessel programme has been a significant element of our industry’s success including the service that Fresh Carriers provides to our North Asian ports, and also in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 this year.

“We’re really proud to see this level of investment in new vessels which highlights the confidence and commitment we both share not only in the future of our partnership, but in the growth potential of the kiwifruit industry, and we’re looking forward to seeing the ship deliver our fruit to even more consumers in the years ahead,” says Mr Hulbert.

In recognition of the fact kiwifruit would be the main cargo transported, Fresh Carriers provided the kiwifruit industry with the opportunity to name the three new ships. Former grower Lynda Hawes’ suggestion of Kowhai was selected, symbolising the golden kiwifruit that continues to strengthen the bond between New Zealand and Japan, with the remaining two ships to be named Kakariki (Green) and Whero (Red), ensuring a full spread of Zespri’s portfolio of golden, green and red kiwifruit.

Oceanic Navigation Director Bruce Nisbet is delighted to see the MV Kowhai berth in New Zealand, and says the new vessels will play a significant role in shipping increasing volumes of New Zealand-grown kiwifruit in the years ahead.

“Each year Fresh Carriers transports around 190,000 tonnes of kiwifruit from New Zealand, and we’re pleased to deliver the first of our three brand new vessels that will ship fruit to some of Zespri’s top Asian markets,” says Mr Nisbet.

“The new vessels can ship more trays of kiwifruit through a higher deck, and the engines are built to the latest standards in fuel efficiency. New technology in the vessels also enable remote monitoring of fruit conditioning.

“Zespri are one of the most successful fruit companies worldwide and one of the most committed to chartering specialised reefer vessels for their shipping needs. It is evident that maintaining control of their logistics into key global markets has underpinned Zespri’s success.”
Fresh Carriers supplied 35 vessels to ship Zespri Kiwifruit to key North Asia ports this season, which is around 30 percent of this season’s fruit.
Fresh Carriers President Mr Takeshige is honoured to have worked with Zespri and the New Zealand kiwifruit industry for the last 30 years, and to have built a strong partnership.

“Despite the current disruption caused by COVID-19 around the world, Zespri has had a successful season which convinces us that the decision to build the new ships for Zespri has been the right one,” says Mr Takeshige.

MV Kowhai is set to depart the Port of Tauranga on Saturday 31 October. It marks Zespri’s second-to-last charter reefer vessel this season and it will stop at Tokyo and Kobe.

Kliewer Farms boosts kiwifruit shelf life via Hazel Technolgies

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 17:19:46 GMT

Hazel Technologies Inc., a USDA-funded technology company delivering new solutions for the fresh produce industry to extend shelf-life, increase sales, and fight food waste, announces a new partnership with Reedley, CA-based Kliewer Farms, a leading grower of California kiwifruit, stone fruit, and table grapes.

The partnership focuses on the use of Hazel™ for kiwi to ensure post-harvest quality. The technology, whose development has been funded in-part by the USDA, is a small biodegradable sachet, placed in the box during packing, which reduces the sensitivity of kiwifruit to ethylene, resulting in longer shelf life and less food waste. Hazel Tech® manufactures sachets for both organic and conventional kiwi, providing growers, shippers, and retailers with compliance flexibility.

According to the University of California-Davis, kiwifruit has an extremely high sensitivity to ethylene. Even extremely low quantities of ethylene, which the kiwifruit itself produces following harvest, induce rapid softening. Following trials last season, Kliewer observed that kiwifruit protected by Hazel Tech® retained their firmness significantly longer than unprotected control fruit.
“Traditionally we can store our kiwifruit 3-4 months, but with Hazel Tech we have observed storage capabilities of 6-7 months,” commented Jerin Kliewer, General Manager at Kliewer Farming, “It only takes three seconds to put Hazel Tech in the box, but we get 3 additional months of shelf life out of it.” Founded in 1985, Kliewer Farming is one of the largest kiwi growers in the state of California, with over three hundred acres of kiwi production.

“Kiwifruit is growing in popularity globally and as a result more volume is being planted in major production areas like California ,” said Aidan Mouat, CEO, Hazel Technologies, “Despite this growth, one major challenge with kiwifruit is the extremely high ethylene sensitivity following harvest. The goal of Hazel Technologies is to enable growers, packers, and retailers of kiwifruit to better meet their customers growing demand for delicious kiwifruit by helping ensure the best possible eating experience and least possible food waste.”