Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative Announces KORU® Brand Apples Arrival from New Zealand to the U.S.
NEW ZEALAND - Shipments of New Zealand-grown KORU® apples are here, Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative has announced. While KORU® is also now produced in the U.S., New Zealand is the source of the bulk of harvesting take place in the faraway, lush orchards of New Zealand, where the apple was first discovered and brought to market.
85 percent of this year’s New Zealand KORU® crop is being shipped to the U.S. for distribution and sales with the help of three suppliers representing the Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative:
- New York Apple Sales, New York. Kaari Stannard, [email protected], John Cushing, [email protected], or Michael Harwood, [email protected] - 518.477.7200.
- Borton Fruit, Washington. Sky Johnson - 509.823.2745, [email protected]
- Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers, Washington. Bruce Turner, [email protected] or Shane Cass, [email protected] - 509.663.2191
The first May arrivals of KORU® have already been sold, with more containers to arrive later in May and over the next few months, according to a press release, meaning orders are still available for New Zealand KORU® apples in 12 kg. Euro and 18 kg. traypack cartons, and pouch bags!
“80 percent of these apples are in the three prime sizes, really perfect-size fruit,” explained Tim Byrne, Manager of Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative, adding that fruit quality is exceptional. “This is the third New Zealand crop, slated for export to North America. These apples are ideal in many ways – sweet flavor, crisp flesh, great color, and good size.”
“KORU® brings together the subtle sweetness of the Fuji with the Braeburn’s slight tang,” noted Byrne, who explained the cross is positioned as a premium apple, similarly to how Honeycrisp is. “It’s really an inspired combination, perfect for eating, baking, and cooking.”
KORU® apples are being supported with point-of-sale and marketing materials including display bins, high-graphic merchandising cartons, and pouch bags. Positioned to consumers with the tagline: “Escape Ordinary,” the brand is described as, “crisp, sweet, and naturally delicious.” These promotional materials can be obtained at no cost through the Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative supplier from which you order.
Only commercially harvested in New Zealand since 2013, more and more orchards are being planted with KORU®, with 15 growers in New York and another six in Washington.
To view a video on the growing and harvesting and grading of KORU® apples in New Zealand, watch the video above, and keep your eyes peeled for even more updates on the international apple season from AndNowUKnow.
