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New
Zealand Apples are Back in Wilmington |
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Spring has returned to Delaware with the first shipment of New Zealand apples arriving through the Port of Wilmington. The refrigerated vessel, M/V Shinano Reefer arrived in Wilmington on Monday, April 1st, and discharged nearly 600 pallets of New Zealand fresh Royal Gala apples. It is now fall in New Zealand and the season for their world-famous apples, pears and kiwifruit. Last year, the Port received over 35,000 tons of New Zealand apples and 10,000 tons of Zespri New Zealand kiwifruit, which was marketed in the US and Canada by the David Oppenheimer Group. This year, following deregulation of the apple industry in New Zealand, a number of other exporters and importers will participate in this trade, and in the marketing of New Zealand fruit in North America. New Zealand apples and pears are known throughout the world for their taste and quality, with the Gala, Royal Gala, Braeburn, Fuji, Pink Lady, Pacific Rose, Pacific BeautyTM, and Southern Rose varieties being the most popular. New Zealand’s warm, dry summers and cool winters combine with its clean air and water and rich volcanic soil provide an ideal fruit-growing environment. New Zealand is one of the Port’s leading trading partners. In addition to apples, pears and kiwifruit, Wilmington is a major port and distribution center for New Zealand beef and seafood. Founded
in 1923, the Port of Wilmington is an important asset for
the local and regional economy, generating more than 5,800 jobs and
contributing over $22 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. For
further information, digital photos, free tours of the Port and free
speakers contact: |
