Falling apple exports are impacting heavily on the New Zealand producer Turners & Growers, who have announced a drop in half-year gross profits from £3 million to £2.3m.
The biggest marketer of NZ apples, which owns Enza, is suffering due to climate problems and a reduction in shipments.
Further headaches were caused by the late start to the season and oversupply of the European market, which held extra stock of northern hemisphere fruit.
There is light at the end of the tunnel however, as the company is confident about the long-term future of Jazz. It holds the exclusive worldwide production and marketing rights for the variety.
A spokesman for Turners & Growers said: “Our medium and longer term future in pip fruit is predicated on our involvement with Jazz, which we are confident will prove a strong strategic advantage.”
