New Zealand exporter Southern Fruits International will showcase its luxury cherries at the world's leading exhibition for fresh produce marketing, Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong this week (September 4-6) following significant global market growth in the past year.
Southern Fruits International founder and marketing manager Sharon Kirk said an increased volume of cherries produced for the premium retail sector would be exported to existing and developing markets in Asia, the Middle East, Canada and the United States during the southern hemisphere summer.
Southern Fruits International exports Central Otago-produced Beyond brand cherries grown at two significant orchard developments spanning more than 160 hectares in the region long considered the heartland of premium New Zealand cherry production.
It produces eight proven cherry varieties renowned for their high colour, size and flavour. They include the large, heart-shaped dark-red Sonnet; bold, dark-red Sandra Rose; heart-shaped deep-red Santina; red-skinned, white-fleshed Stardust; large, round, red Lapin; large, heart-shaped red Sweetheart, black-skinned, red-fleshed Kordia and the classic cherry red Staccato.
Beyond cherries would be available for export progressively from mid-December to February with early varieties available on shelves in time for Christmas, she said.
Beyond cherries are available in high-grade, luxurious packaging in 1kg, 2kg and 5kg boxes with a beautifully designed gift card inside each box.
NZsummer apricots win over new fans
Specialty apricot producer Ardgour Valley Orchards will showcase its NZsummer specialty apricot varieties alongside Southern Fruits International.
The varieties were bred by Plant and Food Research specifically for New Zealand conditions over a two-decade journey to commercialisation and are produced over 25 hectares at Ardgour Valley Orchards, Tarras, Central Otago. A selection of premium cherries – including Stardust, a white-fleshed variety - are also grown and exported by Ardgour Valley Orchards.
"NZsummer 2, 3, and 92 and 820 varieties store better than other apricots due to an ethylene-recessive gene, which makes them ideal for export," Mrs Kirk said.
"This point of difference – as well as their exceptional flavour and appearance attributes – has appealed to buyers who are looking for something different and special for their customers. Our apricots were well received last year because they are super sweet, low in acid and bright in colour. We're excited to once again give consumers an exceptional eating experience.
"We've also sent samples of our apricots to the USA, Canada, Malaysia and the United Kingdom where they have impressed buyers across multiple retail outlets. Feedback about the attributes of our apricots has been extremely positive and we're confident that exciting retail opportunities are about to open this coming season," she said.
Available from mid-December to February, NZsummer variety apricots are available in 3kg place pack trays and 5kg cartons.
Mrs Kirk said pre-season orders from all markets had so far been strong for both lines and she expected to finalise the pre-sale program at Asia Fruit Logistica.
She said a presence at Asia Fruit Logistica was essential for marketers to connect with buyers in leading lucrative markets and to pre-sell orders ahead of the season. This will be the third time that Southern Fruits International has exhibited at Asia Fruit Logistica.
"It's a chance to sit down with our buyers, get them engaged in the story behind our brands, show them where our fruit is grown and explain the practices we employ throughout the supply chain, so by the time they receive the fruit in December, they feel part of our journey and understand what goes into producing luxury fruit," she said.
Conditions favour solid harvest
Mrs Kirk said pre-season conditions so far in Central Otago had been favourable for summerfruit production.
"We have good fruit bud development across all orchards for both cherries and apricots. Volumes continue to increase year on year as the trees mature."