Summer entertaining just stepped up a notch with the launch of Blue Royal, a new premium brand offering high quality super-sized and super-tasty locally grown blueberries to New Zealanders for the first time.
Sourced from the world-renowned Mountain Blue Orchards in Australia, Blue Royal blueberries have been cultivated to produce berries which grow bigger, have more flavour, are firmer and stay fresher for longer in comparison to other varieties previously available in our local market.
Previously gaining a following in the marketplace as Eureka, the Blue Royal brand has been designed to delight consumers and deliver sustainable value to customers and growers.
Blue Royal Global Marketing Manager, Mel Auld noted the new berries are the result of decades of innovation and market research to create a blueberry that stands out from other varieties.
“You’ll be able to discern a Blue Royal from other blueberries instantly. Each berry is consistently the same large size, plump, and their deep blue colour makes them distinct from the rest,” said Auld.
On supermarket shelves now, Blue Royal blueberries arrive just in time for summer. Plump and juicy, they’re a must-have accessory for foodies at any get together. Their flavour profile is the ideal balance of sweet and sour, just what you need for a healthy dessert or cocktail companion.
“Blue Royals are divine when eaten fresh. They’re just the right size for a healthy afternoon treat or a yummy post-workout snack. They’re also lunchbox-proof; more robust than standard blueberries, they’re perfect for even the most boisterous young Kiwi and stay fresh until lunchtime without getting bruised or squished,” Auld continued.
Shoppers will be able to easily spot the distinctive gold packaging of Blue Royal products in the fresh produce section.
“We designed our packaging to reflect a sense of both the quality and the everyday luxury of this fresh fruit treat.”
Blue Royal will be the only brand sold in New Zealand of this special king-sized blueberry. Just a handful of orchardists around the country have been individually selected to supply fruit to the brand.
“Our growers are some of Aotearoa’s most experienced horticulturists with a high level of technical excellence. They are as proud as we are to be a part of the Blue Royal brand. There’s a real excitement building as we launch into the season. They are as excited as we are to see families right around the country enjoying the quality and freshness of Blue Royal berries.”
In addition to the local market, Auld expects that the exceptionally high quality of Blue Royal blueberries will open the door to greater exports with customers all over the world.
“We’re aiming to share Blue Royal blueberries with the whole world, and we want families all over the globe to become familiar with this innovative new Kiwi brand.”
Kiwis are keen consumers of locally grown blueberries. Statistics from the 2019/2020 growing season showed consumption increasing to a record 8 million punnets of fruit worth an estimated $30 million sold in New Zealand alone with a further $44 million exported.
“Since COVID-19 first hit, we’ve seen renewed demand for immunity-boosting fresh produce. Blue Royal blueberries are not only a premium product but also a nutritious everyday treat that supplies a high dose of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibre,” concluded Auld.
“Adding a superfood like Blue Royal blueberries to your shopping list is the best thing you can do for the health of the whole whānau.”
