Page 12 - October freshletter_UK

10 FRESHLETTER

«THE SUNGOLD VARIETY

IS OUR FIRST PRIORITY»

The production increase at the Northern Hemisphere, the priori-
ty of the yellow kiwi SunGold and the all year round supply to all
over the world, are the three “keys” of the Zespri global strategy, as
mentions them Mrs. Sheila McCann-Morrison, Zespri Chief Inter-
national Production Officer. Mrs. McCann-Morrison also explains
the position of Greece in the company’s plans.

When will the last kiwi imports from
New Zealand will arrive in Europe and
at which level do you estimate the to-
tal volume of the imports? Will it be
higher or lower compared to the last
campaign?
We expect our New Zealand-grown
Green Kiwifruit season to finish during late
November, with our New Zealand-grown
SunGold Kiwifruit likely to finish up a little
earlier. We’ll then be supplying fruit from
our European growing partners as part of
our global supply strategy which helps en-
sure that our consumers can access our
premium Zespri Kiwifruit for all 12 months
of the year.

Zespri collaborates with many pro-
ducers of the Northern Hemisphere. SHEILA MC CAN-MORRISON
Could you please give us some details
about the acreage of the Zespri plan- ZESPRI CHIEF INTERNATIONAL
tations in Europe and if there is inter- PRODUCTION OFFICER
est for further expansion?
Zespri has partnered with growers and
postharvest operators in Italy and France
for nearly two decades to grow Zespri Ki-
wifruit so that it remains on shelves for all
12 months of the year.
There are currently around 2,700 plant- ships and shelf space throughout the
ed hectares of SunGold in Italy and around year, as well as keeping our brand in front
340 planted SunGold hectares in France. of consumers year-round. If we only sold
Zespri owns the SunGold variety and we New Zealand-grown kiwifruit, there would
also procure green kiwifruit which meets be three or four months a year where we
our quality standards. We expect these wouldn’t be offering fruit to the market.
European plantings and volumes to grow We’re on track to grow global sales
strongly over the next five years. to $4.5 billion by 2025, which equates to
Twelve-month supply is a key strate- around 260 million trays of kiwifruit. Of
gy for Zespri to maintain trade relation- that, we expect up to 200 million trays will

OCTOBER 2019