20% higher sales of Zespri’s New Zealand kiwis forecast in Europe

The 7,000-pallet consignment of SunGold is aboard MV Cool Eagle, a new specialised reefer vessel built by Cool Carriers and the largest vessel to carry Zespri kiwifruit to date, reports Eurofruit. The first green kiwi should arrive in May.

Giorgio Comino, Zespri’s executive officer Europe and North America, said MV Cool Eagle is the first of five planned charter reefer vessels to Northern Europe under Zespri’s shipping programme this season. “There’s been good pollination and rainfall after pollination this season, which has helped with fruit sizing and it’s looking like another great-tasting crop. This season we’re expecting to supply nearly 20% more Zespri SunGold kiwifruit to Europe, reflecting the continued growth in demand for the variety, and around the same level of green as last season.”