THINGS ARE GETTING JUICY AT OPPENHEIMER
AS ENZA SPRINGS ONTO THE SCENE
May 9, 2007
VANCOUVER, B.C. — The warm spring breezes
and longer daylight hours herald the arrival of a season that
people look forward to all year — it’s ENZA™
New Zealand pipfruit time.
And The Oppenheimer Group is ready for it. With
Royal Gala already in the market, and plenty of consumer favorites
like Fuji, Taylor’s Gold, Braeburn, Jazz™ and Southern
Rose™ on the way, the sole marketer of the ENZA brand in
North America is optimistic about the season, said David Nelley,
Oppenheimer’s pipfruit category director.
“Even though the overall export volume from
New Zealand is down this year, Oppenheimer’s 2007 program
is slightly up,” Nelley said. “We have a wide mix
of varietals in both conventional and organic, including solid
supplies of newer apples that continue to climb in consumer popularity
such as Pacific Rose™ and Jazz.”
As ENZA Royal Gala gains a foothold in early May,
Braeburn is next on the apple itinerary, arriving late in the
month. With the harvest underway, the quality out of Hawke’s
Bay in particular looks to be exceptional, according to Nelley,
with fruit sizing in the 70 to 80 range. “Next off the boats
will be consumer favorites Southern Rose and Jazz, followed by
Fuji, Pacific Rose and Granny Smith in mid-to-late June.
“We have had demand for the newer varieties
that exceeds our supply, and we plan to build on that momentum
this year as more people are reminded of how delicious an apple
can taste,” Nelley said. “Jazz interest continues
to increase every year and show no signs of slowing. Promotional
activities — such as in-store visits by growers, sampling
at jazz festivals and community events, and the continued sponsorship
of the Jazz Apple cycling team — are vital, as they introduce
many more to the taste of these delectable additions to the category.“
Leading the lineup for New Zealand pears is Taylor’s
Gold — off to an exceptional start on the West Coast with
a high quality of fruit that has been very well-received by the
market, Nelley said. “Now is the perfect time for Taylor’s
Gold, and retailers are capitalizing on this, as the season will
begin to wrap up in early June — just in time for Bosc to
arrive later in the month and into July.”
Oppenheimer is excited to have a good volume of
Asian pears and Bosc from ENZA this year, Nelley added, as overall
volumes of good russetted Bosc imports in North America are down.
Rounding out the crop is a large range of certified
organic apple varieties, including Braeburn, Royal Gala, Fuji,
Granny Smith, Pink Lady and, of course, Jazz.
Overall, Nelley is enthusiastic about the
potential for the 2007 program. “Due to a shortage of certain
varietals on retail shelves this year in North America, we see
many opportunities for good quality ENZA apples and pears. The
growers have done their job well and Oppenheimer is optimistic
for a strong selling and marketing season.“
Photos are available upon request.
Related Web sites: www.oppyproduce.com
| www.enzafruit.com
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Karin
Gardner, Communications Manager
Kinley Engdahl-Johnson,
Media Relations Specialist
PH: (206) 284-1705 | FX: (206) 284-0203
The Oppenheimer Group, Communications
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