COUNTRY NEWS: Future 'sweet' for new varieties

ZESPRI'S new varieties may not appear significantly different from its current green and gold fruit, but they should create new excitement in international markets.
That's the view of three fruit-trade journalists, Mike Knowles, editor of Eurofruit, Tom Bicknell journalist with Asiafruit and Konstanze Richter, journalist with Fruchthandel - a German fruit industry publication - who visited New Zealand in April.
The trio believe should Zespri decide to commercialise all or some of the four varieties currently under trial, there will be a positive reaction from the fruit trade and from consumers.
Zespri has  picked the new fruits from trial orchards and rigorous harvest, packing, storage and in-market tests are under way to ensure it  had enough  data  to make a  decision next month.
The journalists were given a preview of the one early and two long-life gold varieties and an earlier, sweeter green kiwifruit under consideration during a week-long tour when they visited Zespri's headquarters at Mount Maunganui and orchards and post harvest facilities in Te Puke, Te Kaha and Nelson.
Konstanze, who is based in Düsseldorf said those in the fruit trade, including retailers would quickly appreciate the advantages of the new varieties but marketing promotions would be required to inform the public about the fruit.
Tom, who is based in Melbourne, said the introduction of the new varieties, the new golds in particular, were a reflection of the maturing of the kiwifruit industry in New Zealand and its ability to produce new and better versions of a highly popular fruit.
Mike, from London, said the trip had reinforced for him the difficulties New Zealand growers faced in competing against producers from the Northern Hemisphere who were not only closer to market, but also often supported by subsidies.
The park-like nature of well-groomed orchards, often hidden from public view behind shelter belts, also impressed the journalists.
The visitors made an impression themselves when Mike sang Yellow Submarine with Konstanze and Tom joining in the chorus in response to the waiata sung to welcome them to a marae.