A long-standing New Zealand apple and pear exporter is expecting two of its 'exciting varieties' to again be in hot demand in 2020.
Fern Ridge Fresh supply the Piqa®Boo® Pear and KORU® Apple, which led the way for the company in a great year for apple exports into China and South East Asia.
"Piqa®Boo® is a bright red skinned, tropical tasting fruit which is revolutionising the global Pear category," Export Sales and Logistics, Kurt Livingston said. "The increasing volume of New Zealand grown Piqa®Boo® can’t keep up with the demand in Asia, which is driven by the uniqueness of this fruit. It’s an exciting time to be involved with Piqa®Boo®. KORU® is a bi-colour apple with intense red coverage. The flavour stands out for its honey like sweetness with a complementary ‘sweet n sour’ kick. This crisp apple with amazing storability has been wowing customers globally in 2019, effectively living up to its tagline 'Escape Ordinary' and resulting in exceeding demand heading into 2020."
He added that a shortage in the 2018 Chinese domestic crop also likely resulted in fantastic demand for New Zealand grown apples last season.
"The feedback from global markets has highlighted the great quality year which was 2019. NZ Queen, KORU® and Piqa®Boo® were standouts for their quality and taste experience," Mr Livingston said. "In 2020 we are expecting a larger size profile than 2019, due to cooler temperatures during flowering resulting in a larger fruit drop. The weather is starting to heat up now (summer is well on the way), so the fruit are experiencing good growing conditions."
The Hastings based company has been exporting New Zealand’s finest apples since 1997 on behalf of some of New Zealand’s leading growers located across the country; in Hawkes Bay, Nelson, Timaru, Central Otago and Gisborne.
"Fern Ridge Fresh focus on shipping fresh fruit from the grower direct to the customer in a timely manner to ensure consumers get to taste the apples at their freshest," Mr Livingston said. "Fern Ridge Fresh work with many family owned and operated growers and packers, who have passed down growing knowledge from generation to generation, and strive to grow the perfect apple for the global consumer."
Fern Ridge Fresh have seen a large growth in Vietnam China and surrounding Asian markets, and Mr Livingston says it is particularly driven by Piqa®Boo®, KORU® and NZ Queen.
"These markets present exciting opportunities to diversify, and so far, have all responded well to the new flavours and varieties which Fern Ridge Fresh offer," he said. "In 2020 Fern Ridge Fresh are excited by the opportunity to explore new sales channels with key varieties. If you haven’t already, you need to taste the Piqa®Boo® sensation. It will blow your mind, and definitely become your new favourite fruit."
The company believes that New Zealand offer unique varieties which are setting new standards for flavour and appearance, which have been bred with the global consumer in mind.
"The premium nature of these New Zealand grown and bred varieties is generating high demand and great feedback from the market, especially Asian markets," Mr Livingston said. “New Zealand is globally recognised for our clean green image, but it’s not only this image which helps drive demand for our produce. New Zealand leads the way when it comes to food safety, as all produce grown and exported from New Zealand is carefully produced using globally approved and carefully monitored practices. New Zealand maintains the highest standard of social responsibility, which ensures all produce industry employees are fairly treated and paid the living wage."
Fern Ridge Fresh also supply the Pink Lady, Granny Smith, NZ Rose, Fuji, Braeburn, Red Delicious, Royal Gala varieties.
For more information
Kurt Livingston
Fern Ridge Fresh
Phone: +64 6 651 2646
produce@fernridgefresh.nz
www.fernridgefresh.nz