New Zealand kiwifruit exporter and marketer Zespri is trialling four new kiwifruit types, with the aim of making them available to growers commercially in 2010.

A Zespri spokeswoman told freshinfo: “Zespri has a robust evaluation process that screens through thousands of seedlings to identify the top selections. These are then placed into small trials in many regions around New Zealand and evaluated for a further two to three years. All four of these new selections are at the same stage in the evaluation process.”

Zespri is still being cautious in its release of information about the four new types, but confirmed to FPJ that there will be selections of both Zespri™ Green and Zespri™ Gold. “The new varieties were selected for traits such as consumer desirability,” said the spokesperson.

“All fruits are visually attractive and have good size. Some of the new varieties can be harvested early, while others have long storage potential. All of them taste amazing,” she added.

Meanwhile, at Zespri’s AGM last week, the message was that the industry needs to focus on raising its game. Acting ceo Lain Jager said: “Many of our green growers did not have a sustainable business in 2007.”

The answer, he said, lies in Zespri’s historical recipe for prosperity, combined with an urgent focus on core business and innovation.

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