Kiwi innovation a recession-beater for global fresh produce

23rd February, 2012

Kiwi innovation a recession-beater for global fresh produce industry

New Zealand exhibitors just back from the world’s largest fresh produce trade event say there is keen interest in innovative offerings as global players look for competitive advantage in a tough marketplace.

A group of Kiwi companies providing research and development, cultivars, fruit, vegetables and production technologies took part in Fruit Logistica 2012 in Berlin in early February. More than 2,500 exhibitors from 84 countries were at the event which attracted tens of thousands of visitors from around the world.

Companies attending Fruit Logistica were supported by the New Zealand German Business Association, part of the worldwide German Chamber of Commerce network.

Compac Sorting Equipment, which sells high performance fruit sorting and packing technology, had a larger stand and more equipment on show at Fruit Logistica than in previous years and General Manager Bob Shaw says it attracted a lot of interest.

“Sales inquiries for our technologies were considerably up on previous years and we have many opportunities to follow up. We particularly noticed a marked increase in enquiries from customers located in the developing markets of Europe such as Poland, Turkey and Russia.” BBC Technologies, which attended Fruit Logistica for the second time, demonstrated its new cherry sorting machine and General Manager Geoff Furniss says it also drew crowds. “Despite the recession, or perhaps because of it, there is a huge appetite for things that are new. Businesses are being pushed hard and are looking for ways to cut labour costs and improve productivity.

“Equipment like ours is seen as a way to deliver competitive advantage in a challenging environment.”

All the New Zealand exhibitors at Fruit Logistica say they expect to secure new business from attending the event something NZTE’s Trade Commissioner in Germany, Hamburg-based Marcus Scoliège, says demonstrates the value of Kiwi companies attending the event.

“With New Zealand’s distance from markets, there is nothing that beats getting up close and personal with partners and customers, both current and future, to cement relationships and show off new innovation. Fruit Logistica once again demonstrated that it is an ideal platform to do this.”

A number of New Zealand exhibitors took advantage of having the world’s leading fresh produce industry players under one roof to launch new offerings.

Fruit exporter ENZA unveiled new branding for kiwifruit with each variety – ENZAGreen™, ENZARed™ and ENZAGold™ – having its own colour treatment in packaging and promotional material.

Turners & Growers Development Manager Murray Malone says the branding, which goes under the banner of ‘Taste Explosion’, was well received and will be rolled out in international markets from next month.

Plant & Food Research also achieved a milestone at Fruit Logistica with its European marketing partner, French company Sofruileg, launching a new kiwi berry product under the brand name nergi. The name is a play on the word energy and reflects the fruit’s zesty taste and high vitamin content of the fruit.

Plant & Food has developed the novel fruit which is the size of a cherry tomato, has green, smooth and edible skin, and flesh like a kiwifruit.

Wendy Cashmore, Manager – Plant Varieties for Plant & Food Research says the launch is the fruition of a long collaboration.

“We’ve been working with European partners for a decade to bring the new variety to market. It’s an excellent partnership – they have the experience and networks to grow, market and sell the fruit in Europe.”

Nergi is being grown in 8 locations around Europe and there are also opportunities to grow the fruit in New Zealand to ensure a supply in the northern hemisphere winter.

Around 200,000 punnets of nergi will be on sale in Europe this year with volumes expected to rise to 80 million in 10 years.

Plant & Food also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the James Hutton Institute at Fruit Logistica. The Scottish-based institute provides world-class research into natural resources and has a strong reputation in agricultural and environmental science.

Dr Nigel Kerby, Managing Director of Mylnefield Research Services, the commercialisation arm of the James Hutton Institute says there are significant synergies between the two international research organisations.

“Our respective research on sustainable crop production, the development of new superior plant varieties that meet grower and consumer needs and enhancing the connection of land with people will be facilitated by this MOU. “The agreement provides a framework for the bilateral exchange of ideas, technologies and materials that will help address the global challenges of food security, resource efficiency and climate change. Ultimately, we will use the latest scientific knowledge and research to produce new products together,” he says.

• Enzafruit: www.enza.co.nz
• Zespri: www.zespri.com
• BBC Technologies: www.bbctechnologies.com
• Wyma Solutions: www.wymasolutions.com
• Fresh Appeal: www.fresh-appeal.com
• Compac Sorting Equipment: www.compacsort.com
• Plant & Food Research: www.plantandfood.co.nz

ENDS

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