World’s largest fruit trade show shines spotlight on Kiwi ingenuity.
Auckland, New Zealand, February 5, 2016 - The world’s fresh produce industry is gathering in Berlin this February to
showcase its wares as well as discussing global trends in fruit and vegetable production and consumption.
Among them will be New Zealand’s leading horticultural producers and the creators of some world-leading Kiwi technology.
Fruit Logistica 2016 is a trade fair with a global scope. It provides an excellent opportunity for growers and equipment
manufacturers to get in front of the European market, which takes over half a billion dollars of our horticultural
exports every year. This year’s exhibitors include Zespri, Plant & Food Research, Wyma, BBC Technologies and Compac.
In addition to IP in plant breeding and genetics, Kiwi researchers have developed valuable, state-of-the-art technology
in a range of critical areas.
Declan Graham of Plant & Food Research will be introducing a new diagnostic tool that tackles one of Europe’s persistent apple cropping issues.
The AppleGenie project is working to develop a predictive diagnostics tool based on gene expression, enabling growers to
rapidly assess their cropload programmes and deal with the threat of Bitter Pit Disorder.
Auckland-based Compac, a leader in sorting and grading technology, is rolling out its new Spectrim™ optical sorting
platform, which incorporates advances in defect detection, classification and operator ease of use. With the ability to
take up to 500 high-definition images of a single piece of fruit as it passes through the machine at a rate of 12 pieces
of fruit per second, Spectrim detects tiny external blemishes and delivers unrivalled grading accuracy.
Compac expects European growers to leap at the labour-saving possibilities as well as Spectrim’s powerful grading
capabilities.
Chief Technology Officer Ken Moynihan says “Growers and packers are increasingly investing in technology that enhances
their operations and brands. Although significant, it's not just about labour-saving, it´s increasingly all about the
data. The high quality data produced by the Spectrim platform provides business intelligence that supports optimisation
of the whole supply chain, from the field to the retailer, giving those who invest a distinctive edge in the
marketplace.” he says.
BBC Technologies is the world’s leading supplier of blueberry sorting and packing machinery. It’s taking the opportunity
to demonstrate its latest CURO16 filling system to European customers.
This New Zealand company has created the world’s fastest fresh produce-filling machine, capable of packing 220
clamshells per minute. Also on show will be BBC Technology’s MIRA cherry/tomato sorter, Soft Sorter (for blueberry
softness sorting) and Colour Sorter, which is designed for blueberry defect sorting.
Another company built on Kiwi know-how is Wyma, which invented the Vege-Polisher over 20 years ago. With a strong
presence in many export markets, Wyma has changed the way root vegetables are presented at point of sale. Their latest
V4 Vege-Polisher will be on display at Fruit Logistica as well as the Vertical Bin and Bag Filler, providing European
growers with the chance to see New Zealand ingenuity in action.
Kiwifruit marketer Zespri is taking part in Fruit Logistica for the 21st year in a row. Its new SunGold cultivar has
enjoyed huge success in the very competitive European fruit market, with Spanish and German consumers voting it the top
fresh product of 2015 in different consumer surveys. There was strong demand for Green and sales across the continent
supported this picture of success, with Zespri sales in Europe up 6 million trays to a total of 45 million last year.
With a reputation for innovation in technology complementing our strengths in fruit and vegetable production, New
Zealand is well placed to increase exports to Europe. The horticultural sector’s investment in research is set to pay
off as European consumers gravitate towards products that offer convenience, health and novelty as well as the very
highest quality standards.
Additional Facts
* New Zealand horticultural production exceeded $7 billion in 2015.
* Over half the value of production was made up of exports ($4.3 billion).
* Apple exports exceeded $550M for the first time in 2015, with approximately 20% being New Zealand bred cultivars such
as Jazz™ and Envy™.
* Over 65,000 trade visitors attended Fruit Logistica 2015, with numbers tipped to increase this year.
* 130+ countries will be represented at Fruit Logistica 2016.
ENDS