It’s full steam ahead for exports of T&G Global’s internationally popular, premium Envy™ apple this week, with five vessels carrying 28,000 cartons (518 tonnes) of Envy™ departing the Napier Port for China and South East Asian markets.
T&G’s Director of Operations, Craig Betty, says the company expects to export a high-quality crop of Envy™ apples to consumers around the world this year, despite severe labour challenges, tight shipping schedules and a global container shortage.
“Our orchard and post-harvest teams are pulling out all the stops to pick and pack our Envy™ crop this season,” he says.
“We’ve had University students pitching in and working alongside our local seasonal team and Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers. In addition, 45 of our office-based team, known as the “Envy™ Army” are working part-time shifts at our Hawke’s Bay packhouses to ensure our premium Envy™ apples get to consumers in key global markets.”
During the course of the New Zealand export season, T&G will ship approximately two million cartons (200 million apples) of New Zealand grown Envy™ to consumers in 60 countries, reflecting the brand’s strong demand in global markets, especially in Asia and the United States.
This week marks the beginning of a busy shipping schedule for T&G’s 2021 apple crop, which over the coming weeks will depart from both Napier and Nelson Ports. Last week, T&G also air freighted Envy™ to China and Malaysia in time for new season retail programmes.
This year, T&G and its partner growers across the world will grow, pack and sell a total of 5.5 million cartons of Envy™ globally. As demand grows for Envy™, the company is stepping up plantings in both hemispheres to meet increasing consumer demand. New Envy™ plantings over the coming years will produce another 10 million cartons by 2030.
Craig says the quality and colour of Envy™ apples are exceptional this season with 70% of the crop harvested.
“As our mornings get cooler in New Zealand, we’re seeing a strong and vibrant colour coming through and a high proportion of high-grade fruit being packed.”
Envy™ apples will start arriving in international markets in late April.
