Koru brand apples from New Zealand hit the U.S.

 

Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative  announced that container shipments of Koru apples, grown in New Zealand, have begun arriving at U.S. ports.

According to a news release, the Koru variety is also now produced in the U.S., but the bulk of the current available crop is harvested annually in New Zealand, where the apple was discovered and brought to market initially.

85 percent of this year’s New Zealand Koru crop is being shipped to the U.S. for distribution and sales through three suppliers that represent the Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative: Borton Fruit and Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers of Washington State; and New York Apple Sales of New York State. These three organizations are three of the biggest companies in the industry.

While the first May arrivals of Koru have been sold, more containers will be arriving later in May and over the next few months, so it is still possible to order these New Zealand Koru apples in 12 kg. 2-Layer RDT and 18 kg 4-Layer tray-pack cartons as well as pouch bags. Fruit quality is exceptional, according to Tim Byrne, Manager of Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative.

“80 percent of these apples are in the three prime sizes, really perfect-size fruit,” said Byrne.  “This is the fourth 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.”

A cross between Fuji and Braeburn varieties, the Koru brand is positioned as a premium apple, much like Honeycrisp. “Koru brings together the subtle sweetness of the Fuji with the Braeburn’s slight tang,” noted Byrne. “It’s really an inspired combination, perfect for eating, baking, and cooking.”

Only commercially harvested in New Zealand since 2013, Koru has already achieved a reputation as a superior apple for production, storage, and consistent quality. Consumers appreciate how it retains crispness and a rich, aromatic flavor with a honey finish.

To view a video on the growing and harvesting and grading of Koru apples in New Zealand, click here.

To order Koru apples from New Zealand, purchasers may contact –

• New York Apple Sales, New York. Kaari Stannard, kaari@newyorkapplesales.com , John Cushing, john@newyorkapplesales.com , or Michael Harwood, harwood@newyorkapplesales.com – 477.7200.
• Borton Fruit , Washington. Sky Johnson – 509.823.2745, sky@bortonfruit.com
• Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers, Washington. Bruce Turner, brucet@starranch.com or Shane Cass, shanec@starranch.com –  663.2191

Koru apples are being supported with point-of-sale and marketing materials including display bins, high graphic merchandising cartons and pouch bags. The brand is positioned to consumers with the tagline: “Escape Ordinary,” and the descriptor “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.

More and more orchards are being planted with Koru, with 15 growers in New York and another six in Washington.