New Zealand kiwifruit marketer Zespri has included a consignment of bottled water with its first shipment of new-season kiwifruit to the Japanese market.
The first kiwifruit load of the season left Tauranga for Kobe and Tokyo Bay on Wednesday with 500,000 trays of gold kiwifruit. Reefer vessel MV Haru Verdy’s hold also included 30,000 litres of bottled water.
“Given our long association with Japan we wanted to contribute to the relief efforts there by supplying packaged water,” Zespri’s supply chain general manager Sally Gardiner told New Zealand media.
Kyokuyo Shipping, the line managing the MV Haru Verdy, is also shipping the bottled water free of charge.
Zespri separately told Fruitnet.com its offices in Japan were undamaged and its employees and growers were safe.
“We were also concerned for the safety and well-being of our customers and distributors there, many with who we have formed strong bonds and friendships over decades of working together,” said Ms Gardiner.
New Zealand’s kiwifruit sales in Japan are not expected to be heavily affected by the aftermath of March’s earthquake and tsunami, and Zespri has said it will continue as planned in the market.
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