N.Z. fruit good ‘but expensive’

Press, 24 April 1987, Page 27

N.Z. fruit good ‘but expensive’

"Outstanding but expensive” is how several Californian produce buyers describe New Zealand fresh fruit imports. New Zealand fruit is too dear and quantities are often less than supplies available from other sources, according to Mr Art Hayaski, produce buyer for the supermarket chain, Vons Companies. Vons has about 190 stores, mainly in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, and records about 156 million transactions a year. Mr Hayaski buys New Zealand kiwifruit, strawberries, granny smith apples and passionfruit, mainly during the local off-season and has nothing but praise for its quality. The strawberries are particularly impressive, and he said New Zealand’s “pre-packaged approach” reduces the supermarket’s work at point of sale. But Mr Hayaski said kiwanos had been tasteless and he would not purchase the fruit again.

New Zealand apples are meeting increasing competition from Chile, California, and Washington, he said. The quality of New Zealand produce is outstanding compared with imports from other countries, according to Mr Tom Ito, director of produce at Hughes Markets, a 43-store chain of supermarkets throughout southern California. "But I think the price holds it back,” he said. Mr Carl Markel, director of buying at Ralph’s Grocer, said raspberries are hard to move because of their high price and short shelflife. Mr Markel buys kiwifruit, berries, granny smith and gala apples for the 130-store California chain New Zealand stonefruit does not match the quality from other suppliers, especially Chile, but Mr Markel said New Zealand fruit generally has a fine appearance, one of the most important factors in the buying decision. ;