Smooth transition of Kanzi apples in the Southern Hemisphere

This week, the first Southern Hemisphere Kanzi apples arrived on the European market. GKE CEO, Urs Luder, is the variety manager of this apple brand. He is satisfied with the past European season. "It was not an easy season for the apple sector. Despite this, we have come to the conclusion that the Kanzi has proved its worth. Personally, I am proud of the good cooperation between licensees. Where there were shortages, they helped each other supplement their stocks. This is the power of the club concept - to help one another supply the channels and, so, fulfil your obligations to your buyers."

Kanzi apples, ready to be harvested in New Zealand

Kanzi apples are now being supplied from South Africa, New Zealand and Chile. Here, South Africa is the largest producer. "Production is still increasing in all these countries. This includes established trees as well as planned acreage expansion. This year was especially interesting. We wanted to see what consequences the drought in South Africa would have on the harvest. At first glance, it seems that there will, however, be a good harvest. The new apples' colour is, in fact, excellent; almost unprecedented", says Urs. Australia is the fourth production country in the Southern Hemisphere. This country produces almost as much as South Africa. "Australian Kanzi apples are, however, mostly sold on their large domestic market."

"The last European apples are now being sold. It is expected that the transition to the foreign market will be smooth. In the Netherlands, for example, the last batches of local apples are still being harvested. So, you will not find any Southern Hemisphere apples there yet", says Urs. He emphasises that the Kanzi apples from the Southern Hemisphere are in worldwide demand. Europe is merely one of its markets. "A good portion goes to North America and Canada. Local markets, like South Africa, also take a lot of these apples. Markets such as Asia and the Middle East also want Kanzi apples. We are a global brand - the second largest apple brand in the world - so there are options."

Aerial view of one of the new Kanzi orchards in Chile

"The demand for Kanzi apples is growing in Europe year-on-year. This year, we can almost not keep up. Currently, we do not have a huge harvest. The demand, however, increases every year. With the Kanzi, we have an advantage. They fit well with consumers' current taste profiles. This makes this club variety interesting for most European countries", says Urs. "Germany is an enormous market. The Kanzi also sells well in the Netherlands. Sales are also increasing is the Scandinavian countries, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. There is good potential in southern countries like Spain and Italy. There are also markets we have hardly touched. These include the Baltic States and Eastern Europe. In short, there is enormous potential."

South African Kanzi farmers

Urs calls fruit tree cancer a 'manageable problem.' The Kanzi, a cross between the Gala and the Braeburn are susceptible to this. "We know full-well how to fight this disease. We have it well under control. We also know in which areas we can produce the Kanzi well, and where we need to be more careful", he says. This variety has now been available on the European market for 14 years. This CEO says it is an important milestone that growers have been able to supply the Kanzi year-round. They have been doing so for several years now. "We do not disappoint consumers for a single day", he concludes.

For more information:
Urs T. Luder
GKE NV
59 Kernielerweg
B-3840 Borgloon
Tel: +32 (0) 123 399 10
urs.luder@gkefruit.com
www.kanziapple.com