New South China Port Now Serving Zespri’s Reefer Vessels

From June 25 to 30, New Zealand’s prime minister Christopher John Hipkins led a trade delegation to China. The delegation comprised representatives of some of New Zealand’s biggest companies, including Bruce Cameron, chairman of Zespri Group Limited.

During the visit, Cameron signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Joy Wing Mau and Goodfarmer, Zespri’s two largest distributors in China, with the goal of achieving a 50% increase in Zespri’s sales in China over the next three years. It is anticipated that by the end of 2026, Zespri kiwifruit will be available in at least 90 cities across China, expanding from their current presence in 60 cities.

Zespri also signed a sustainable packaging agreement with multiple parties including Joy Wing Mau, Goodfarmer, Pagoda and Xianfeng Fruit. Michael Fox, head of global public affairs at Zespri, stated that the kiwifruit giant’s objective for this year is to introduce sustainable packaging materials into one-third of its product range. Furthermore, Zespri has outlined a plan to use sustainable packaging materials for all of its products by the 2025/26 season, as part of the company’s commitment to achieving packaging that is 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.

As further evidence of Zespri’s efforts to expand its presence in China, July 2 saw the successful docking of MV Kowhai, one of the company’s chartered reefer vessels, at the Dongguan Port Phase II Terminal. The ship was carrying 4,355 metric tons of kiwifruit with an estimated value of 133 million Chinese yuan ($18.4 million). This significant milestone marks the inaugural entry of New Zealand’s kiwifruit into the Chinese market through the Port of Dongguan, thereby expanding the reach of Zespri’s reefer service to an additional port in South China. Previously, only Nanhui Port in Shanghai and Damaiyu Port in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, served Zespri’s reefer vessels.

Shipments of kiwifruit arriving in Dongguan are reportedly intended to reach various cities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area within 12 hours and any location in China within two days.

Image: Zespri

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.