Zespri and T&G has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) confirming their intention to work together to create value for their respective growers and shareholders. Zespri Chairman Peter McBride and T&G Global Chairman Professor Klaus Josef Lutz signed the MOU early this morning NZ time at the fruit industry trade show Fruit Logistica in Berlin.
Professor Lutz explains that, as two large New Zealand horticultural exporters with strong global brands, Zespri and T&G have committed to develop market opportunities together to grow export sales.
“This is a positive collaboration between two large New Zealand exporters,” says Professor Lutz.
Mr McBride says both companies are major contributors to the New Zealand economy and offer premium branded products supported by innovative marketing.
“This MOU formalises our intentions to look for opportunities to use our respective strengths to grow sales,” says Mr McBride.
The first step in this collaboration can be seen with regulatory approval of a new initiative: the two companies will work together to sell around 1 million trays of Zespri Kiwifruit in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos in the 2016 season.
“This proactive collaborative marketing partnership will accelerate the growth in kiwifruit sales across a region with huge potential. T&G will develop sales programmes for Zespri Green, Zespri SunGold and T&G products in these four Southeast Asian countries, leveraging the strength of the Zespri brand and marketing strategy with T&G’s existing business expertise, distribution channels and strong product offering,” says Mr McBride.
Professor Lutz says T&G will open an office in Bangkok to represent and support the two companies’ sales programmes. The new team will work together to grow sales of both Zespri and T&G branded products like JAZZTM and ENVYTM apples in the region, with a regional manager already appointed and key account managers appointments to follow.
This collaborative arrangement is the first of its kind to be approved by regulator Kiwifruit NZ (KNZ) and learnings from this programme will be used to inform future collaborative programmes. Under the Kiwifruit Regulations, Zespri is the primary exporter of NZ-grown kiwifruit beyond Australia. However other exporters can apply to KNZ with proposals to export NZ-grown kiwifruit in collaboration with Zespri.
Mr McBride explains the recent Kiwifruit Industry Strategy Project (KISP) consultation with growers heralded a change in direction for Zespri and collaborative marketing. “This has opened the way for Zespri to partner with companies which can offer strong coverage in new or developing regions for Zespri and increase returns to our growers.”
Additional information
- Zespri sold 670,000 trays of Zespri Kiwifruit in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos in the 2015 season
- Zespri is the buyer of NZ kiwifruit for export to every country with the exceptions of Australia (which is governed by Closer Economic Relations) and collaborative marketing approvals for non-Zespri varieties
- Zespri Kiwifruit is sold in 56 countries around the world
Caption: Zespri Chairman Peter McBride (right) and T&G Global Chairman Professor Klaus Josef (left) sign the MOU at Berlin Fruit Logistica
About Zespri Group Ltd
With sales revenues of $1.57 billion in 2014/15, Zespri is one of the world’s most successful horticulture marketing companies and the Zespri brand is recognised as the world leader in premium quality kiwifruit. Based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, we are 100 percent owned by current or past kiwifruit growers, and employ approximately 350 people in New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the Americas.
On behalf of our 2,500 growers in New Zealand and 1,200 growers based elsewhere, Zespri manages kiwifruit innovation and supply management, distribution management and marketing of Zespri Green, Zespri SunGold, Zespri Organic, Zespri Gold and Zespri Sweet Green Kiwifruit.
About T&G Global Ltd
Passion for freshness. Everyday. Everywhere.
T&G has a distinguished history stretching back to 1897 and is recognised as New Zealand’s leading distributor, marketer and exporter of premium fresh produce. Since 2012 BayWa AG, Munich (Germany) has been a major shareholder of T&G. A truly global business, T&G along with partner growers, grows fresh produce in over 20 countries around the world including pipfruit, grapes, citrus, kiwifruit, asparagus, berries, summerfruit and tomatoes.
Source: Zespri Group Ltd
