Among them will be New Zealand’s leading horticultural producers and the creators of some world-leading Kiwi technology.

Fruit Logistica 2016 is a trade fair with a global scope. It provides an excellent opportunity for growers and equipment manufacturers to get in front of the European market, which takes over half a billion dollars of horticultural exports every year. This year’s exhibitors include Zespri, Plant & Food Research, Wyma, BBC Technologies and Compac.

In addition to IP in plant breeding and genetics, Kiwi researchers have developed valuable, state-of-the-art technology in a range of critical areas. Declan Graham of Plant & Food Research will be introducing a new diagnostic tool that tackles one of Europe’s persistent apple cropping issues. The AppleGenie project is working to develop a predictive diagnostics tool based on gene expression, enabling growers to rapidly assess their cropload programmes and deal with the threat of Bitter Pit Disorder.

Auckland-based Compac, a leader in sorting and grading technology, is rolling out its new Spectrim™ optical sorting platform, which incorporates advances in defect detection, classification and operator ease of use. With the ability to take up to 500 high-definition images of a single piece of fruit as it passes through the machine at a rate of 12 pieces of fruit per second, Spectrim detects tiny external blemishes and delivers unrivalled grading accuracy. Compac expects European growers to leap at the labour-saving possibilities as well as Spectrim’s powerful grading capabilities.

Chief Technology Officer Ken Moynihan says “Growers and packers are increasingly investing in technology that enhances their operations and brands. Although significant, it's not just about labour-saving, it´s increasingly all about the data. The high quality data produced by the Spectrim platform provides business intelligence that supports optimisation of the whole supply chain, from the field to the retailer, giving those who invest a distinctive edge in the marketplace.” he says.

BBC Technologies is the world’s leading supplier of blueberry sorting and packing machinery. It’s taking the opportunity to demonstrate its latest CURO16 filling system to European customers. This New Zealand company has created the world’s fastest fresh produce-filling machine, capable of packing 220 clamshells per minute. Also on show will be BBC Technology’s MIRA cherry/tomato sorter, Soft Sorter (for blueberry softness sorting) and Colour Sorter, which is designed for blueberry defect sorting.

Another company built on Kiwi knowhow is Wyma, which invented the Vege-Polisher over 20 years ago. With a strong presence in many export markets, Wyma has changed the way root vegetables are presented at point of sale. Its latest V4 Vege-Polisher will be on display at Fruit Logistica as well as the Vertical Bin and Bag Filler, providing European growers with the chance to see New Zealand ingenuity in action.

Kiwifruit marketer, Zespri, is taking part in Fruit Logistica for the 21st year in a row. Its new SunGold cultivar has enjoyed huge success in the very competitive European fruit market, with Spanish and German consumers voting it the top fresh product of 2015 in different consumer surveys. There was strong demand for Green and sales across the continent supported this picture of success, with Zespri sales in Europe up 6 million trays to a total of 45 million last year.

With a reputation for innovation in technology complementing its strengths in fruit and vegetable production, New Zealand is well placed to increase exports to Europe. The horticultural sector’s investment in research is set to pay off as European consumers gravitate towards products that offer convenience, health and novelty as well as the very highest quality standards.

Additional Facts

• New Zealand horticultural production exceeded $7 billion in 2015;
• Over half the value of production was made up of exports ($4.3 billion);
• Apple exports exceeded $550M for the first time in 2015, with approximately 20% being New Zealand bred cultivars such as Jazz™ and Envy™;
• Over 65,000 trade visitors attended Fruit Logistica 2015, with numbers tipped to increase this year;

130+ countries will be represented at Fruit Logistica 2016.