EastPack Prepared to Pay to Deliver Quality Produc

Media Release

EastPack Prepared to Pay to Deliver Quality Product

Leading Bay of Plenty kiwifruit post harvest operator, EastPack, is pleased with the lift in its product quality so far this season after implementing a rigorous new integrated orchard to wharfside quality system.

The improved outturns have come at a price. EastPack has invested another $10 million in 2007 alone in infrastructure at its three sites in Edgecumbe, Te Puke and Opotiki. This includes upgrading CA and conventional coolstorage facilities, installing a new state of the art grader, recruiting additional expertise and introducing world class quality processes and practices at every point from harvest to load out.

"We've also absorbed another $1 million in additional packing and quality checking costs to deal with puncture marks, which are a feature of this season's GOLD kiwifruit crop," CEO, Tony Hawken said. "That is an expensive part of our operation but worth it as we believe that delivering product as close as possible to ZESPRI's market specifications will not only earn us a reputation as a quality service provider but also ultimately enable us to deliver top orchard gate returns to our growers."

EastPack estimates that it will handle 8.7 million trays of Class I GREEN and 4.9 million trays of Class I GOLD in 2007, similar volumes to last season, as its beds down its new plant and processes, but expects to improve its performance all round.

"Quality has been a real priority for us in 2007. Timing is critical at every stage of the picking, packing and storage process and we were determined to have in place the capacity, technology and capabilities to provide these services efficiently during the optimum harvest window," Mr Hawken said.

"EastPack absorbs these additional costs rather than passing them on to growers. We know that we have to continue to invest in innovation and improving our skills, processes and knowledge of the factors which affect GOLD and GREEN Kiwifruit performance at different points on the supply and delivery chain.

"There is a huge crop to sell this year and it's going to be a real challenge for ZESPRI, our marketer. We want to play our part and do everything we can onshore to deliver premium quality product to earn us premium returns and uphold ZESPRIT Kiwifruit's reputation for consistent quality," he said.

"They say taste is everything - and this year we've got it which is a big plus going for New Zealand growers."

ENDS

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