MARK ERICKSEN NAMED WORLD FRUIT GROWER OF THE YEAR
December, 4 2006

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - Mounting an international stage, Mark Ericksen accepted the inaugural 'World Fruit Grower of the Year' award on behalf of the Waima Fruit Company Ltd. of Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The Oscar-style, black tie gala took place at the Okura Hotel Nov. 3.

"I was overwhelmed when my name was announced," said Mark Ericksen, who grows apples for ENZA, along with ZESPRI™ GREEN and GOLD Kiwifruit that are marketed by The Oppenheimer Group of Vancouver, B.C. "It was a well organized, lavish event, and I was very excited to win."

The first-ever World Grower Awards were presented by leading industry journals World Grower, and the Grower, in partnership with International Horti Fair and with primary sponsor, Sainsbury's. This will be an annual event going forward, providing growers with a platform to demonstrate excellence in the international horticultural community.

"The World Grower Awards provide excellent networking opportunities," Ericksen said. "And I'm sure they will keep getting bigger and better each year, as profile increases."

Judged by a panel of four industry experts from China, the Netherlands, Columbia and the UK, the World Grower Awards were presented in nine categories: vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, salads, organics, marketing / business expertise, product of the year, outstanding achievement, and logistics / supply chain. UK vegetable grower South England Farms was overall World Grower of the Year. Criteria took into account production methods, use of technology and research, improvements made over the past year, clarity of business plan, quality control and traceability practices, and marketing efforts.

"The Waima Fruit Company is known for excellence in employing contemporary production methods with a strong focus on environmental concerns," said David Nelley, Oppenheimer's pipfruit category director. "A proactive orchard management system ensures crops are maximized, while fruit is grown in a safe and responsible manner. There's even a stream stocked with trout running though the orchard."

Waima was the first primary producer in New Zealand to receive EUREPGAP® food safety accreditation, and is actively cultivating innovative varieties - including ENZA's newest apple JAZZ™. Ericksen also serves as a technical consultant to ENZA for new variety development.

"JAZZ™ is such an amazing apple cultivar," Ericksen said. "The eating characteristics are second-to-none with the crunch, appearance and aroma all as strong attributes that make the apple truly world class … It has the potential to be the next number one seller - not only because of its eating quality, but also because of the brand awareness that ENZA is building around the globe and with Oppenheimer in North America."

The Waima Fruit Company Ltd. is a 100-acre apple and kiwifruit operation, nestled in the foothills of the Heretaunga Plains in Hawke's Bay, on the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island. Waima is a Maori name, meaning 'clear white water' - fitting for the verdant, rolling lands, rimmed by fresh water streams.

The Ericksen family bought Waima in 1922, planting kiwifruit vines in 1979 and adding apple orchards in 1984. Mark Ericksen and his father Peter currently grow Royal Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, Pacific Rose™, Pacific Queen™, and JAZZ™ apples for ENZA, along with ZESPRI™ GREEN and GOLD Kiwifruit. The lands have been passed down for four generations.

The grower has won a number of past accolades, including: Hawke's Bay Rural Environmental Award, Hawke's Bay Top Fruit Grower of the Year, and Kiwifruit Grower of the Year - winning both ZESPRI™ GREEN and GOLD Kiwifruit awards for four years running.

For more information about the World Grower Awards, visit: www.worldgrower.com/awards

Photos are available upon request.
Related Web sites: www.oppyproduce.com | www.enzafruit.com

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