Turners&Growers looking forward to strong Enza apple season
Turners & Growers CEO Alastair Hulbert said good growing conditions, consistent product quality, and on-going investment in technology have been key to the positive season outlook, with 90,000 tonnes of ENZA apples set to be exported from New Zealand growers’ orchards over the next eight months.
“ENZA has been successfully exporting New Zealand apples for a significant number of years and it is exciting to see international markets steadily growing.
“Our market partners in Europe, UK, USA and Asia are looking forward to the Southern Hemisphere season to continue on from their strong Northern Hemisphere programmes.
“Although 2014 may not reach the level seen with the 2013 season, the prospects are certainly encouraging.”
In 2003, Turners & Growers Ltd acquired ENZA, forming a company with a turnover in excess of NZ$730million.
Since then, Turners & Growers has continued to invest heavily in research and development projects, with recent upgrades of controlled atmosphere stores and new grading and packing equipment helping to improve product quality for both domestic and international markets.
“We have invested in state-of-the-art grading equipment at our packhouse in Hastings that can sort pipfruit based on specific requirements for particular markets. Export needs can often differ market by market so these investments will help us deliver more efficiently to our markets’ requirements.”
Turners & Growers has also identified that extending the organisation’s pipfruit product portfolio through the global release of highly sought after branded apple varieties such as JAZZTM, ENVYTM and Pacific RoseTM is attracting consumer demand overseas.
“Jazz, Envy and Pacific Rose have all had a good year and Jazz and Envy are looking fantastic with good size and colour. This is testament to our growers and the good growing conditions we experienced in most of our pipfruit producing regions,” said Mr Hulbert.
“Harvesting is underway for Pacific Beauty, Pears, Royal Gala and Coxes in Hawke’s Bay and Nelson and these will be followed shortly by Jazz.”
Last month, Turners & Growers launched its new corporate strategy, which looks to grow both the company’s domestic and international markets with an increased focus on the pipfruit category globally.
Turners & Growers has more than 100 years’ experience in the New Zealand fresh fruit and vegetable industry, and is now working towards cementing its position as one of the best horticultural companies in the Southern Hemisphere.
For more information:
Rosstan Mazey
Tel: +64 21 402 411
Email: Rosstan.mazey@turnersandgrowers.com