New York, NY (October 8, 2014) – With a remarkable season in the North American market for the newest variety from global kiwifruit marketer, Zespri, SunGold has experienced a 170% increase in sales from last year with 73% of new accounts coming on board in 2014. Experiencing positive responses from retailers and consumers alike, Zespri today announced that SunGold, with its tropical-sweet flavor and golden yellow flesh, will be a prominent fixture at this year’s PMA Fresh Summit in Anaheim, California.

The Oppenheimer Group’s Executive Category Director of Tropicals, Steve Woodyear-Smith, said, “Zespri has generated much consumer interest in SunGold this year with both new differentiating packaging and B2C media events laying a solid platform for continued growth on this excellent new item.” For example, a Zespri event in New York City gathered 35 magazine editors, high-profile bloggers, and experienced nutritionists to sample SunGold and other Zespri varieties. The event garnered over 275K impressions with 85 brand mentions, inspiring consumer curiosity and excitement over Zespri, SunGold, and organics. Woodyear-Smith continued, “Oppenheimer is working with Zespri and we’re excited to expand the kiwifruit category with SunGold, as well as satisfying the growing demand and retail support for Zespri’s organic kiwifruit line.”

Furthering its efforts, Zespri will be positioned at PMA 2014’s sponsorship activities where attendees may sample the revolutionary SunGold in a variety of tasty and creative ways.  Zespri is also co-sponsoring the Welcome Reception happening Friday, October 17th where there will be numerous colorful food trucks serving Zespri food and drink concoctions, along with other sponsored products. During the show, attendees can visit the Zespri Kiwifruit sponsored Charge Lounge where there will be SunGold smoothies and SunGold Kiwitinis for the more adventurous! Lounge guests will be able to sit, relax, recharge their mobile devices, and mingle with other guests.

Zespri’s Senior Marketing Manager of North America, Michele Hoard, says, “It’s been a great season for us, with a bigger volume of SunGold available to this market and great promotional support. The consumer and trade response has been fantastic! This is a really fun and exciting piece of fruit to offer to be able to offer to North America. We’re excited to be showcasing SunGold at PMA, giving everyone an opportunity to try it." 

Dedicated to quality, sustainability, and accountability,Zespri is recognized as the world-leader in premium quality kiwifruit and focuses on minimizing its impact on the environment (both at home in New Zealand and overseas). Zespri invests millions of dollars in innovation technology and to create a superior piece of fruit. Zespri offers different varieties of kiwifruit includingZespri Green, Zespri SunGold, and Zespri Organic.

This article was copied verbatim from a press release.

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