NEW ZEALAND - Who’s excited for the New Zealand apple season? T&G Global certainly is, and the company recently harvested the first of this season’s supplies. It is anticipated that more than 6.5 million tray carton equivalents will be picked, adding up to over 264 million pounds of apples (120 million kilograms).

“For our premium JAZZ^™ and Envy™ brands, we’re seeing good quality and fruit size better than 2021,” says Craig Betty, Director of Operations. “With hot and humid weather for early harvest in the Hawke’s Bay, striking the right conditions to develop good foreground color has been challenging, but the recent change of weather should see this improve. In the South Island, we’ve seen higher than usual rainfall in spring, followed by warm summer temperatures, which should see a full crop and improved sizing on 2021. Customers and consumers both here in New Zealand and overseas seek out great-tasting, high-quality apples, and this year’s crop should not disappoint.”

T&G’s early-season apple, branded Poppi™, is the company’s first variety to be harvested in February, followed by Royal Gala, JAZZ, and Envy over the coming months, a press release outlined.

“Thanks to its early ripening qualities, Poppi is one of the first New Zealand apple brands of the season to arrive in our highly competitive Asian markets,” Betty adds.

Betty also comments on how T&G is working to combat supply chain challenges.

“Without a doubt, it’s going to be a tough season given New Zealand’s tight labor market, the absence of working holiday visa workers, continuing global supply chain challenges, and the ongoing impact of COVID-19 across the country and globe,” says Betty. “For the last two years, we’ve worked with COVID-19, prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of our people, growers, and communities—while at the same time keeping fresh produce flowing to customers and consumers. This year, we’ll do it again, but we’re under no illusion as to how difficult the year will be.”

He continues, stating, “Across the country, we’re recruiting extensively to bring in much needed additional team members to help minimize the shortages we’re facing. We have business continuity plans in place across our supply chain and are continually monitoring the situation so we can move quickly to navigate and minimize the challenges which may come our way.”

As New Zealand’s apple season continues to get underway, we here at ANUK will keep bringing you the latest.

T&G Global