Latest news with #ZespriKiwifruit
Scoop
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Zespri Teams Up With Dame Lisa Carrington In Global Partnership
The world champion canoe sprinter, nine-time Olympic medallist and iconic New Zealand athlete is the kiwifruit brand's first global brand ambassador. Zespri, the world's largest kiwifruit marketer, is proud to announce a four-year global partnership with Dame Lisa Carrington, New Zealand's most decorated Olympian, as its inaugural global brand ambassador. The partnership highlights Zespri's commitment to health, quality, and excellence -values Dame Lisa has exemplified throughout her record-breaking kayaking career - with a focus on inspiring individuals to stay focused on their health and wellbeing, through the goodness of Zespri Kiwifruit. To launch the partnership, Zespri has released a cinematic short film inspired by the concept of 'Flow' - a state of alignment between purpose, nature's rhythm, and performance. It offers a rare glimpse into how Dame Lisa draws on nature, discipline, and resilience to fuel herself both on and off the water, while reflecting Zespri's philosophy of growing kiwifruit in harmony with nature's flow. A Shared Commitment to Quality and Excellence The collaboration unites two Kiwi icons deeply connected to the Bay of Plenty, the birthplace of Dame Lisa and the heart of New Zealand's kiwifruit industry, which produces around 80% of the country's kiwifruit1. The collaboration will spotlight Dame Lisa and Zespri's shared passion for helping others thrive through good nutrition, healthy habits, and building a legacy of positive impact that goes beyond individual achievements. More than just a shared origin, the partnership represents a union of purpose and drive. As one of the most decorated athletes in canoe sprint history, Dame Lisa remains focused on upcoming major international competitions, grounded in the flow that guides her training and mindset. At the same time, Zespri is committed to working with nature's flow to make more nutritious kiwifruit accessible worldwide. By expanding its global footprint, now reaching over 100 million households2, Zespri aims to help people thrive through better nutrition and natural goodness. 'We're thrilled to partner with Dame Lisa Carrington,' said Jiunn Shih, Zespri Chief Marketing, Innovation and Sustainability Officer. 'Her discipline, consistency, and drive for progress perfectly mirror our approach to growing and marketing great-tasting, high-quality Zespri Kiwifruit. Together, we look forward to connecting with a broader audience of sports and wellness enthusiasts, as well as inspiring people everywhere to prioritise good health and nutrition as they find their own flow.' Dame Lisa echoed this sentiment: 'I'm incredibly proud to partner with Zespri. It's exciting to have the opportunity to champion New Zealand kiwifruit on a global stage. Good nutrition is a key part of my performance, just as it's central to Zespri's mission. I'm excited for what's ahead.' Inspiring Action: Building Habits, Creating Flow The 90-second cinematic film offers an intimate look at how Dame Lisa finds her flow, beyond her athletic achievements, revealing the quiet strengths and habits that power her from within. Her journey is a reminder that sustainable success is built on small, consistent choices: good food, good habits, and energy that carries us forward. Together, Zespri and Dame Lisa hope to inspire people to discover their own flow and build everyday habits that fuel a life of nutrition, purpose, and progress. The film explores how Dame Lisa and Zespri each harness nature's flow. For Dame Lisa, flow is both literal and personal - she moves with nature, finding her rhythm through intentional, consistent training. Similarly, Zespri draws on nature's rhythm and New Zealand's fertile soils to grow nutrient-dense kiwifruit with care, dedication, and purpose, a philosophy that has helped it become the number one fruit brand across its 15 core markets³. The launch will also feature a campaign microsite with the full cinematic film, episodic videos, and a series of blog articles deep diving into Dame Lisa's values and what nutrition means to her. Discover the full film and learn more about the collaboration at ABOUT ZESPRI Zespri is 100 percent owned by current and former kiwifruit growers and has a global team of 900+ based in Mount Maunganui and throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas. Our purpose is to help people, communities and the environment thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit, and we work with 2,800 growers in New Zealand and 1,500 growers offshore to provide consumers with fresh, healthy and great-tasting Zespri Green, Zespri RubyRed and SunGold Kiwifruit. In 2024/25, we supplied 220.9 million trays (more than 795,000 tonnes) of kiwifruit to consumers in more than 50 markets, and recorded global operating revenue of NZ$5.14 billion. Zespri is committed to sustainability, with areas of improvement identified right through the supply chain including our pledge that by 2025 we will use 100 percent reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging, do more to help the environment, and work with our partners to be carbon positive by 2035. ABOUT DAME LISA CARRINGTON Dame Lisa Carrington is a world champion kayaker and New Zealand's most decorated Olympian, with nine Olympic medals, including eight golds. Her remarkable career includes 15 world championship golds and nine successive K1 200m titles. In 2022, she was appointed Dame Companion to the New Zealand Order of Merit, and she has earned multiple accolades, including the Halberg Supreme Award and Sportswoman of the Decade. In 2024, she was awarded one of the Olympic movement's highest honours, receiving the ANOC Outstanding Sporting Career Award. This award recognises Dame Lisa's career to date.
Scoop
21-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Economic Headwinds In Asia Considered In Zespri's New Season Kiwifruit Forecasts
, Journalist 18 June 2025 Kiwifruit marketer Zespri has updated its indicative forecasts for the current kiwifruit season, as its 2800 growers examine how well licensed varieties will bear fruit for them. Zespri was expecting another record crop for the 2025/26 season of around 200 million trays, more than half of which had already been shipped to global markets. Average orchard returns per hectare for this season are steady or higher for most varieties, compared to last year's. Orchard gate returns by varieties The highest per hectare returns were seen across SunGold at $171,000-$187,000 and SunGold Organic at $154,000-$172,000. Whereas, the lowest per hectare returns were for Green14 at $63,000-$75,000 and RubyRed at $74,000-$79,000. Higher per hectare returns were forecast across most varieties, when compared to last year 24/25's average rates. Most average returns per tray last season (2024/25) matched this season's forecast ranges - except for Organic SunGold and RubyRed, which were down. RubyRed was 75 cents lower per tray than last year. Green kiwifruit had the lowest return at $8.25 to $9.25 a tray, while RubyRed had the highest sitting at $15.25 to $16.25 per tray. Strong global demand but economic headwinds in Asia Chief executive Jason te Brake said the sales programme for 2025/26 had started well, particularly in Europe and North America where it was seeing "strong demand". He said forecasts reflected increased yields this season, improved fruit size for Green and RubyRed and extra SunGold and RubyRed volumes coming from new orchards. "This forecast is encouraging, though there are some economic headwinds in Asia, including inflationary pressures in Japan and our teams are working hard to secure good value in generally softer market conditions," te Brake said. "We've now shipped more than 110 million trays of Zespri Kiwifruit, which is over half this season's total crop, with RubyRed sales now complete. Our teams in New Zealand and in market are focused on continuing the positive momentum we've started the season with to deliver strong value back to our growers." He said overall, the outlook was positive. On a per hectare basis, all ranges increased on guidance provided in March, except for RubyRed which nudged down $3000 a hectare at the lower end of the range. However, returns were forecast to fall for Green and Organic Green when compared to last season. Grower shareholding set to increase A recent report by University of Waikato Professor Frank Scrimgeour on the risks the kiwifruit industry was facing under current governance, highlighted concern that fewer than half of the 2800 growers supplying Zespri were shareholders. "Shareholder interests are not identical to grower interests," Scrimgeour said in the report. However, te Brake said provisional uptake of the recent share alignment initiatives meant more than 60 percent of growers will own Zespri shares, up from 48 percent. "Aligning the commercial interests of growers - i.e. ensuring all growers and shareholders clearly see the benefit to them in new opportunities - will be critical to this. "With strong demand and the industry continuing to perform well we are making the right steps set ourselves up for the future and we're committed to continuing to do so." Last month, the kiwifruit marketer reported an after-tax profit of $155.2 million for the financial year, down 10 percent on last year to $173.3m.
Scoop
17-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Zespri Forecasts Strong 2025/26 Season Returns For Growers
Zespri's indicative forecast for the 2025/26 season has the kiwifruit marketer on track to deliver strong value to growers in another record crop year. The indicative June 2025/26 OGR forecast reflects a positive start to the season, with ranges narrowed from the initial guidance provided in March 2025. CEO Jason Te Brake says average per hectare returns for Green, Sweet Green, Organic Green and Organic SunGold Kiwifruit are now forecast to exceed last year's record returns. 'This reflects this season's increased yields, improvements in our Green and RubyRed fruit size, and additional SunGold Kiwifruit and RubyRed Kiwifruit volume from newly producing orchards. 'We have another bumper crop of more than 200 million trays from New Zealand this season and our sales programmes have started well, particularly in Europe and North America where we've seen strong demand. 'This forecast is encouraging, though there are some economic headwinds in Asia, including inflationary pressures in Japan and our teams are working hard to secure good value in generally softer market conditions. 'We've now shipped more than 110 million trays of Zespri Kiwifruit which is over half this season's total crop, with RubyRed sales now complete, and our teams in New Zealand and in market are focused on continuing the positive momentum we've started the season with to deliver strong value back to our growers.' Zespri corporate net profit after tax including licence revenue is forecast to be $248-$258 million, up from $155.2 million last year. Mr Te Brake noted that while the focus remains on delivering the season well the industry was also making progress on key strategic issues. This included increasing grower ownership of Zespri, with the provisional uptake of the recent share alignment initiatives meaning more than 60% of growers will own Zespri shares, up from 48%. This also follows the successful grower vote in 2024 with 91% of growers supporting offshore expansion, supporting Zespri's ability to continue to lead the category. 'Our industry is creating significant value for growers and grower shareholders and the communities they support, and the outlook is positive with strong demand. We are currently developing our 2035 strategy to set our sights on the next ten years and how we ensure we are best positioned to deliver the greatest value to New Zealand growers. 'Aligning the commercial interests of growers – i.e. ensuring all growers and shareholders clearly see the benefit to them in new opportunities – will be critical to this. With strong demand and the industry continuing to perform well we are making the right steps set ourselves up for the future and we're committed to continuing to do so.' 2025/26 Indicative June OGR Forecast per tray and per hectare returns Pools (Fruit Categories) 2025/26 Indicative Per Tray Range – June Forecast 2025/26 Indicative Per Tray Range – 20 March Guidance 2025/26 Indicative Per Hectare Range – June Forecast 2025/26 Indicative Per Hectare Range – 20 March Guidance Zespri Green $8.25 - $9.25 $8.00 - $9.50 $95,000-$107,000 $86,000-$103,000 Zespri Organic Green $11.00 - $12.50 $10.50 - $12.50 $85,000-$97,000 $80,000-$95,000 Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit $11.00 - $12.00 $11.00 - $12.50 $171,000-$187,000 $162,000-$184,000 Zespri Organic SunGold Kiwifruit $13.50 - $15.00 $13.50 -$15.50 $154,000-$172,000 $147,000-$169,000 Zespri Green14 $9.00 - $10.75 $9.00-$11.00 $63,000-$75,000 $55,000-$69,000 Zespri RubyRed Kiwifruit* $15.25 - $16.25 $14.50-$16.50 $74,000-$79,000 $77,000-$88,000
