FRESH CROP APPLES BRING BACK THE CRUNCH
30 March 2005

As New Zealand apple growers harvested the season's first Royal Galas, their currency hit a 10-year high against the U.S. dollar, setting the stage for reduced pipfruit volumes in North America relative to last year.

The kiwi dollar weakened slightly after Easter. However, the draw of the Euro is still strong for most exporters, and although the national crop size has decreased, ENZA remains committed to North America, according to David Nelley, The Oppenheimer Group's pipfruit category director. Oppenheimer is ENZA's North American marketing partner. The two companies have marketed New Zealand apples together for 57 years.

"Despite holdings of MCP-1 treated old crop, we've had a good deal of interest in the freshly harvested ENZA Royal Gala," Nelley said. "At the end of the day, consumers expect to have quality and flavor available year round. Some of the more progressive retailers are committed to presenting the best-tasting item available."

Nelley pointed out that ENZA has consistently invested in promoting apples and pears in North America, introducing new varieties and building a brand that the trade has come to trust. Despite this year's crop reduction, and fragmentation among New Zealand exporters and traders, ENZA will market approximately six times more volume than its nearest New Zealand competitor.

"The harvest features the excellent quality we have come to expect from ENZA," Nelley said. "The Royal Galas are measuring a little higher on pressure than last season, and the color is very good. I think the North American trade will be pleased with the work ENZA has done to present consistency in the box. Later varieties are also shaping up well, although harvest has been delayed by several days owing to recent wet weather."

The first Royal Galas, including organically-grown fruit, will be available in volume at the end of April.

"We're excited to offer a broader array of organic apples this year, as ENZA expanded its grower base on the merits of last year's performance," Nelley said.

ENZA organic Royal Gala, Braeburn, Granny Smith, Fuji, Pacific Rose™, Pink Lady®, and a very limited number organic JAZZ™ apples will be sold by Oppenheimer this spring and summer.

"Oppenheimer's organic pipfruit volume grew by 300 percent between 2003 and 2004," Nelley said. "This fits nicely with our organic kiwifruit business."

Oppenheimer also offers a full complement of ENZA Taylor's Gold, Comice, Bosc and Asian pears, available April through July.

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