Co-hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce, the AmCham-DHL Express awards highlighted companies achieving high standards in the export, import and investment sectors between NZ and the US.
The US represented 11% of NZ’s total merchandise trade with bilateral trade valued at $16 billion.
Not known for its strength in kiwifruit trade, the US was, however, showing strong signs of growth, driven largely by the SunGold variety.
Zespri had a target of doubling sales in the US to achieve more than $100 million of sales in 2018-19 and SunGold would account for 75% of that income.
Unusually for the world’s most sophisticated consumer market kiwifruit ranked as a relatively under-developed category at a ranking at only 21 in consumers’ fruit bowls. That contrasted with Asia and Europe where it sat at number 10.
The growing consumer interest in kiwifruit reflected a trend highlighted last month by visiting US produce expert Dr Roland Fumasi.
“Fresh produce from NZ is very highly regarded, not only in the US but around the globe.
“NZ stacks up well in the produce export arena due to factors such as the strong industry organisation present there and the ability to supply counter-seasonal produce,” Fumasi said.
Zespri had this month opened an office in California to service the Americas region.
Fumasi cited kiwifruit as a fruit that was showing signs of meeting US consumer expectations.
“Consumption at this point in time is pretty minimal, however it is considered to be quite exotic and there has been some good recent progress in getting greater numbers of Americans to give it a try,” he said.
NZ’s reputation as a grower of top quality, sustainable, safe produce had to be maintained along with investment in research and development to progress growing systems to deliver on that quality promise.
Zespri chief operating officer Simon Limmer said retailers’ needs were changing and Zespri was working to meet them.
Its long-term relationships in the US included the Oppenheimer group, a distribution partner providing full service through to the retail accounts.
Zespri was also awarded the Exporter of the Year award in the more than $10 million revenue category.
