New Zealand exporter Southern Fruits International will showcase its luxury cherries at Asia Fruit Logistica.
Asia Fruit Logistica is the world’s leading exhibition for fresh produce marketing in Hong Kong, from the 4th to the 6th of September, following significant global market growth in the past year.
Southern Fruits International exports Central Otago-produced Beyond brand cherries grown at two significant orchard developments spanning more than 160 hectares in the region, 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.
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.
She said Beyond cherries would be available for export progressively from mid-December to February, with early varieties available on shelves in time for Christmas. They come in high-grade, luxurious packaging in 1kg, 2kg, and 5kg boxes, each containing a beautifully designed gift card.
Ardgour Valley Orchards, a specialty apricot producer, will also showcase its New Zealand summer specialty apricot varieties alongside Southern Fruits International. These were bred specifically for New Zealand conditions, with over 25 hectares at Ardgour Valley Orchards, Tarras, Central Otagoover, and a two-decade journey to commercialisation.
Ardgour Valley Orchards also grows and exports premium cherries, including Stardust, a white-fleshed variety.
“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. This point of difference and their exceptional flavour and appearance attributes have appealed to buyers looking for something different and unique for their customers,” said Kirk.
“Our apricots were well received last year because they are super sweet, low in acid and bright in colour. We’re excited to give consumers once again an exceptional eating experience.
She added that they had also sent samples of the apricots to the USA, Canada, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom, where they have impressed buyers across multiple retail outlets.
Feedback about the apricots' attributes has been highly positive, and she was confident that retail opportunities would open this coming season since pre-season orders from all markets had so far been strong for both lines.
She expected to finalise the pre-sale program at Asia Fruit Logistica as the presence was essential for marketers to connect with buyers in leading lucrative markets and to pre-sell orders ahead of the season.
“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.”
Kirk said pre-season conditions in Central Otago had been favourable for summerfruit production, and they had good fruit bud development across all orchards for cherries and apricots. Volumes have continued to increase year on year as the trees mature.
