Seeka kiwiberries find a market in US

Seeka CEO Michael Franks is delighted to market its kiwiberries to the US. Photo/file

Seeka is pushing ahead in the second year of its partnership with California-based Giumarra Wenatchee to market its kiwiberries.

"We are delighted to partner with Guimarra and for them to carry our brand for this high quality kiwiberry fruit," said Seeka chief executive Michael Franks.

"We have an extensive relationship with them and the two companies' cultures are very similar. We aim to build this into a long-term relationship."

Seeka's California-based marketer sees untapped marketing potential in the US for kiwiberries due to their nutrient density, convenience, and distinctiveness. Photo/File

Jason Bushong, division manager of Giumarra Wenatchee, said the company was proud to represent Seeka in the pursuit of providing a great eating experience to the consumer.

"With the ever-growing global demand for kiwiberries, production is increasing at a record pace, allowing us to provide good volumes of high-quality product for an extended period of time," said Mr Bushong.

Kiwiberries are a smaller, smooth-skinned relative of the larger kiwifruit that is one of the mainstays of the Bay of Plenty economy.

Seeka has been involved in Kiwiberry for about five years and is partnered with Freshmax, which owns the rights to market one of the main varieties grown. The sector is made up of around 40 producing, or soon to be producing, hectares, most of which are based in the Bay of Plenty region.

Giumarra Wenatchee eastern region business manager Scott Ross said there was untapped marketing potential in the US for kiwiberries due to their nutrient density, convenience, and distinctiveness.