Zespri kiwis will no longer be transported to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge in refrigerated vessels. From the start of this year's kiwi season in New Zealand, these fruits will be brought in by containers. Last week, Zespri celebrated this new partnership with French container transportation and shipping company, CMA CGM. This was done with Belgian New Fruit Wharf (BNFW) and the Port of Zeebrugge. The event was opened by Johan Claes of BNFW. He thanked the Zespri family for their trust and 34-year-long partnership. Then Bert Barmans of Zespri took the floor. He announced the new collaboration with CMA CGM. "We are hoping for an effective, safe collaboration with our new partner, CMA CGM", he said.
Bert Barmans of Zespri, Nicole Chamard CMA CGM, Port of Zeebrugge CEO Joachim Coens, and Johan Claes from BNFW
CMA CGM's Nicole Chamard then told the guests more about the new line. "In the period from March to September, a ship will arrive weekly. In total, 7.000 containers of kiwis will be transported to Zeebrugge. The voyage from New Zealand to Zeebrugge will take 32 days. Five thousand containers have also been specially-built to transport these kiwis", she said. Joachim Coens of the Port of Zeebrugge thanked the companies for their confidence in the port. "We also want to add that Zeebrugge Port is completely Brexit-proof." The port has established a digital platform. This made the transition possible.
Willem de Rooij of Zespri and Wilfred Heijstek from Hagé
Changing market
"Zespri switched to containers because we did not have much of an alternative", says Bert Barmans of Zespri. "The market is changing dramatically. We represent a certain volume. We need to keep and increase this amount in the coming years. We chose CMA CGM because we have confidence that they are the right partner for us. They will help us navigate this changing market."
Xavier Verhoestraete and Patrick De Roeck of De Roeck
Zespi's Dutch and Belgian distributors, clients, and logistics partners were present at the event. While guests enjoyed snacks and drinks, the Seatrade Red was unloaded. The programme included a visit to the Zespri packing station and a visit to the ship's bridge. While the vessel was offloading, forklifts drove back and forth, unloading the containers. On any given day, approximately 100 containers of kiwis are processed here. The pallets have a code which makes it possible to trace the grower. All the information is recorded. This includes packing information and who the grower is. Even what kind of pesticide was used.
Before the kiwis are taken to the cold stores, another quality control is done. The fruit is checked for colour, firmness, and Brix levels. The warehouse at Zeebrugge has space for a maximum of 25.000 pallets. During peak season, more than 200 people are employed here. They work in the repackaging and logistics facilities.
The Seatrade Red has new reefers which use less energy because they are hydro-cooled.
Growing share of Sun Gold kiwi
"The proportion of Sun Gold kiwis increases yearly. Now we process 70% green kiwis and 30% Sun Gold. This number has grown rapidly, especially since Sun Gold has only been on the market for a few years now", says Zespri's Willem de Rooij, during the tour of the packing station. "You still see a lot of green kiwis in countries like Spain and Italy. But, that is also changing." Kiwis are repackaged into various sized packaging in the packing station. "Green kiwis are generally packaged in larger numbers. Sun Gold kiwis, on the other hand, are packaged more per two, four and six pieces. The two-piece Sun Gold packs are primarily sent to Scandinavia and France", explains Willem.
For more information:
Nele Moorthamers
Marketing Manager Europe
ZESPRI International (Europe)
Bus 3, 10 Posthofbrug
B-2600 Berchem
+32 (0) 320 108 05
+32 (0) 479 875 036