Image by Stuck in Customs via FlickrNZ Zespri helping out Japan in a practical way...
NZ Zespri helping out Japan in a practical way...
New Zealand 's Zespri helping Japan quake relief.
Zespri's first shipment this year of kiwifruit to Japan is also carrying 30,000 litres of packaged water for relief efforts.
Zespri's first shipment this year of kiwifruit to Japan is also carrying 30,000 litres of packaged water for relief efforts.
The MV Haru Verdy has already left Tauranga bound for Kobe and Tokyo and a second ship is due to leave early next week.
Supply Chain Manager, Sally Gardiner, says Zespri has been monitoring the situation in Japan since the earthquake and tsunami.
She says they're concerned not only for the Zespri's 17 staff, but also for the well being of their customers and distributors with whom they've forged strong bonds.
Mr Gardiner is thanking other companies that have contributed to getting the shipment of water to Japan. They include the operators of the M.V. Haru Verdy, who are shipping the water free of charge.
Ms Gardiner said the new season kiwifruit is due to arrive in-market in Japan in mid-April.
“Our suppliers in Japan tell us that demand for ZESPRI® Kiwifruit remains strong, and based on this, our export programme to Japan will continue as planned,” Ms Gardiner said.
“Shortly after these initial shipments to Japan, shipments of ZESPRI® GREEN, GOLD and ORGANIC kiwifruit will begin to other key markets in Asia, Europe and North America.
“The 2011 season is on track to be a strong one. Early indications are that the volume produced during the 2011 season will be similar to last year’s, with around 100 million trays of kiwifruit being exported,” Ms Gardiner said.
In the coming months, around 25,000 people, mostly seasonal workers, will be employed by the New Zealand kiwifruit industry to harvest, pack and ship ZESPRI® GREEN, GOLD and ORGANIC kiwifruit, injecting millions of dollars into the New Zealand economy.
Acknowledgements: NZ City
