May 12, 2016

New Zealand apple now available in United States

Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative has announced that container shipments of KORU apples, grown in New Zealand, have begun arriving at U.S. ports. The KORU variety is now produced in the United States, but the bulk of the current available crop is harvested annually in New Zealand, where the apple was discovered and brought to market.

Eighty-five 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; and New York Apple Sales.

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. Euro and 18 kg. traypack cartons, as well as pouch bags. Fruit quality is exceptional, according to Tim Byrne, Manager of Coast to Coast Growers Cooperative. “Eighty percent of these apples are in the three prime sizes, really perfect-size fruit,” Byrne said. “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.”

A cross between Fuji and Braeburn varieties, the KORU brand is positioned as a premium apple, much like Honeycrisp, according to the cooperative.

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