The first shipment of what is expected to be a record season of New Zealand-grown Zespri kiwis is on its way to Europe.

The fruit is aboard MV Cool Eagle, a new specialized refrigerated vessel built by Cool Carriers, and is expected to arrive on Sunday, April 18. MV Cool Eagle is one of a series of five vessels that are the largest reefer vessels ever built and will carry over 7,000 pallets of fruit, making MV Cool Eagle the largest vessel to transport Zespri Kiwifruit to date. The ship will unload its cargo of fresh Zespri SunGold kiwifruit in the port of Zeebrugge, Belgium.

The first shipment of Zespri Green Kiwi is expected to leave for Europe in May.

Giorgio Comino, Zespri's CEO for Europe and North America, says MV Cool Eagle is the first of five chartered reefer vessels planned for Northern Europe under Zespri's shipping program this season.

"Now that we have finished selling our non-New Zealand crop, we are looking forward to the arrival of the MV Cool Eagle to start our new season," says Comino.

“There has been good pollination and rainfall after pollination this season, which has helped with the size of the fruit and it looks like another great tasting crop.

"This season we expect to supply almost 20 percent more Zespri SunGold kiwifruit to Europe, reflecting continued growth in demand for the variety, and roughly the same level of green as last season."

Comino says that with this season's harvest underway in all of New Zealand's growing regions, the overall kiwi industry was back to work hard to ensure that it can safely pick, pack and ship another delicious Zespri kiwifruit crop.

"There has been a tremendous effort on the part of everyone in the kiwi industry to respond to the current challenges posed by COVID-19," says Comino.

"While New Zealand remains at level one, the industry will once again adopt additional safety protocols and adopt improved hygiene practices throughout the supply chain, concentrating on delivering more fresh and healthy fruit to its customers and consumers in Europe."

Comino confirmed that this season's marketing campaigns will reintroduce the Kiwi Brothers after a successful launch in six core European markets last season.

“This year, we are integrating these popular characters into our advance packages and through promotions with our retailers.

"We are also excited to start rolling out new carton packaging lines this season, following a significant investment in our Zeebrugge packing station, and this season Zespri will be able to offer nine million prepackaged packages without plastic wrap, which it reflects our commitment to sustainability. "

With the arrival of the new season, Comino looks forward to working with Zespri's long-term suppliers and partners again.

"Our suppliers and partners continue to play an important role in our successes throughout the year, and we would like to recognize them for their work in delivering our fruit to consumers, despite the challenges COVID-19 presents."

With global operating income of NZ $ 3.36 billion in 2019/20, Zespri is one of the most successful horticultural marketing companies in the world and the Zespri brand is recognized as a world leader in premium kiwifruit. Based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, we are 100% owned by current or former kiwi growers, employing over 600 people in New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the Americas. On behalf of our 2,800 growers in New Zealand and 1,500 growers elsewhere, Zespri manages innovation and kiwi supply management, distribution management and marketing for Zespri Green, Zespri SunGold, Zespri Organic, Zespri Gold, Zespri Sweet Green and Zespri Red Kiwi.