NZ Day a chance to celebrate a different kiwi

New Zealand Day a chance to celebrate a different kind of kiwi

As the rest of the world celebrates New Zealand Day at the World Expo in Shanghai today, the New Zealand kiwifruit industry will be celebrating a relationship with China which has spanned more than a century and built a $1.5 billion industry.

In 1904, Wanganui school teacher, Isabel Fraser, returned from China with a number of small black seeds. These seeds found their way to orchardist Alexander Allison who produced the first kiwifruit – or Chinese Gooseberries as they were known then – in 1910.

From these humble beginnings, New Zealand has emerged as the global leader in kiwifruit. ZESPRI exports approximately 100 million trays of ZESPRI® GREEN, GOLD and ORGANIC Kiwifruit every year and is widely-recognised as the world’s most innovative horticultural marketing company.

ZESPRI Chairman, John Loughlin, who is in Shanghai for the celebrations as part of Prime Minister John Key’s delegation, said China has played a huge part in the growth of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry.

“We began exporting ZESPRI Kiwifruit to China in 1993. China is now one of ZESPRI’s best performing growth markets with significant opportunities for future growth. It’s realistic to anticipate that within 10 years, China could grow from almost six percent currently to form up to 20 percent of ZESPRI’s total business, supporting the Prime Minister’s goal to double trade with China in the next five years,” he said.

More than 7 million visitors are expected to pass through the New Zealand Pavilion during the six month Expo. ZESPRI has worked with NZTE to integrate a ZESPRI presence throughout the pavilion, with kiwifruit imagery throughout the pavilion, kiwifruit on the menu in the VIP Hosting Facility, kiwifruit vines as part of the rooftop garden and kiwifruit souvenirs in the gift shop.

As a proud and iconic New Zealand brand, and a foundation partner of the New Zealand Pavilion, ZESPRI is delighted to help bring New Zealand to life for the rest of the world.

ZESPRI Deputy Chairman, Peter McBride, will visit the Shanghai Expo later this month as part of the Export Bay of Plenty Delegation.

ENDS

© Scoop Media