"The reason we have opted for our own stand this year is that we are also promoting the Australian part of the company," explains Annmarie Lee, Brand and Marketing Manager at Seeka. "We are promoting Seeka as both a New Zealand and Australian company."
Annmarie and Jamie Craig, previous owner from BFP at last year's Asia Fruit Logistica
Almost a year ago Seeka acquired Australian company, Bunbartha Fruit Packers Pty Ltd and its associated entities for a purchase price of AUD$22 million. The acquisition made Seeka the largest kiwifruit and Nashi pear grower in Australia.
Seeka will be promoting New Zealand avocados and kiwiberries and Australian Nashi pears and kiwifruit at Asia Fruit Logistica.
"Kiwiberry production has doubled since last year making Seeka one of the biggest packers of the fruit. They are very popular in Australia, unfortunately the Chinese market closed to New Zealand last year but the industry is working closely with China to reopen it," explained Annemarie.
"We are always trying to improve what we do," she continues. "We have smart technology to pack the kiwiberries to make sure they arrive on the market in the best condition, they do not have a long shelve life and we are exploring ways to improve that."
New Zealand is looking forward to a bumper avocado crop this season, packing will start this weekend. Seeka will pack 520,000 trays this season for export to Australia and Japan, as well as supplying the domestic markets.
The company also grows Nashi pears for the Australian market where they are very popular. 1,430 tons of Nashi were grown this year and marketed within Australia
Kiwifruit is also grown in Australia by Seeka mostly the Hayward variety, which they export to various markets. From Australia they are free to export Class I kiwifruit. Independent taste tests ranked the Australian grown fruit ahead of all other kiwifruit in the market.
"The important part of going to Asia Fruit Logistica is to let people know we are not just a New Zealand company any more, we are also a major Nashi and kiwifruit grower in Australia," concludes Annemarie.
You can visit Seeka at Asia Fruit Logistica Hall 3a C-32
For more information:
Annmarie Lee
Seeka Kiwifruit Industries Ltd
Tel: +64 21 766 244
Email: AnnmarieL@seeka.co.nz