First Shipment of Freshly-harvested

New Zealand Fruit Arrives in Wilmington

(Wilmington, Del) --- Today, the Port of Wilmington welcomed the season’s first shipment of New Zealand-grown and world famous ZESPRI® kiwifruit and ENZA apples. The Oppenheimer Group, a leading North American produce company and marketer of the ZESPRI and ENZA brands, anticipates one to two additional shipments to Wilmington, carried by specialized reefer ships, before the end of this summer. This marks the third consecutive season that ZESPRI kiwifruit has been discharged at the Port and the return of ENZA to the Port after a five year hiatus.

Pallets of ZESPRI kiwifruit discharging at the Port of Wilmington,
Delaware for the third consecutive season

“Shipping this high-quality fruit in specialized reefer vessels through Wilmington allows us to maintain the supply chain requirements in the most economical manner possible,” explained Tom Verbitski, regional operations manager for the Oppenheimer Group. “The Port of Wilmington is very experienced with these products, and offers excellent facilities to maintain the cold chain from discharge through delivery, he added.

ZESPRI Green and Gold kiwifruit and a variety of ENZA apples — including the tangy-sweet JAZZ™, which is fast becoming one of the world’s most popular new apples — will be distributed throughout the U.S., as far west as the Mississippi River, as well as to Eastern Canada. The Port of Wilmington offers its customers the largest dock-side cold storage facility in the US and is North America’s largest gateway and distribution hub for imported fresh fruit and other perishable cargoes.

“We are delighted to handle Zespri and ENZA fruit at the Port of Wilmington,” remarked Eugene Bailey, DSPC Executive Director. “The Port’s trade relationship with New Zealand fruit shippers spans more than two decades. We welcome the opportunity to partner again with the Oppenheimer Group fulfilling their warehousing, inventory management, and distribution requirements.”

About the Port of Wilmington

Founded in 1923, the Port of Wilmington is an important asset for the local and regional economy, generating 18,900 direct, indirect & related jobs and contributing over $24 million in annual tax revenues to state and local government. The Port is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, a corporation of the State of Delaware.

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