Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative today announced that container shipments of KORU apples, grown in New Zealand, have begun arriving at U.S. ports. The KORU variety is also now produced in the States, but the bulk of the current available crop is harvested annually in New Zealand, where the apple was discovered and brought to market initially.
85% of this year’s New Zealand KORU crop is being shipped to the U.S. for distribution and sales through three suppliers that represent the Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative: Borton Fruitand Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers of Washington State; and New York Apple Sales of New York State. These three organizations are three of the biggest companies in the industry.
While the first May arrivals of KORU have already been sold, more containers will be arriving later in May and over the next few months. The New Zealand KORU apples will be available in 12 kg 2-LayerRDT and 18 kg 4-Layer traypack cartons as well as pouch bags.
Fruit quality is exceptional, according to Tim Byrne, Manager of Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative. “80% of these apples are in the three prime sizes, really perfect-size fruit,” said Byrne. “This is the fourth New Zealand crop, slated for export to North America. These apples are ideal in many ways – sweet flavor, crisp flesh, great color, and good size.”
The KORU variety is a cross between Fuji and Braeburn varieties as the creator explains, “KORU brings together the subtle sweetness of the Fuji with the Braeburn’s slight tang,” noted Byrne.
For more information, please contact:
Kaari Stannard or John Cushing or Michael Harwood
New York Apple Sales
Tel: +1 518 477 7200