Zespri International announced a record-breaking season this week with the export of its 100 millionth tray of New Zealand kiwifruit.
Acting ceo Lain Jager said this is the first time in the history of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry that this many trays have been exported in a single season. He said: “This milestone is attributable to the dedication, expertise and commitment of more than people involved in the New Zealand kiwifruit industry. By all accounts this has been an outstanding year so far - starting with an excellent production season in which growers delivered fruit to meet Zespri’s premium-quality requirements. “Our industry partners pulled together with ZESPRI employees to successfully manage the increased volume and we’re confident of a positive finish to the season. Our industry’s unrelenting focus on quality and serving our customers, along with integration and innovation, will underwrite our continued success in the future.”
The record-breaking tray was onboard MV Antwerp to Japan this week, marking the last shipment of the 2008 campaign. It was grown by producers Grant and Adele Fowlie who farm 10ha of green and 3ha of Gold fruit.
Horticulture New Zealand president Andrew Fenton congratulated Zespri and the kiwifruit industry for achieving its record-breaking figure. “Kiwifruit is New Zealand’s largest horticultural export and the continuing strength, and growth, of the kiwifruit sector internationally is a credit to everyone involved,” he said.
“On behalf of the rest of the commercial fruit and vegetable industry, I’d like to thank the kiwifruit industry and Zespri for their hard work and commitment, and congratulate them on this landmark achievement.”
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