New Zealand Fresh Fruits
New Zealand horticulture sector is a high-value, high-growth exporter, generating more than $2 billion of exports. Key strengths combines natural advantages with human innovation and world-leading technology to produce and export a wide variety of premium fruit and vegetable products complimented by New Zealand’s clean, green environment, diverse geography and climate, and excellent soil quality. Fruit continues to dominate the industry’s exports and the two main exports, kiwifruit and apples, are both world leaders. This international success has been achieved through a programme of continuous research and development and, more recently, innovation in marketing and branding.
Pip Fruit
The term ‘pipfruit’ refers to apples and pears, because of the small hard seeds (pips) in the centre of the fruit. About 60% of New Zealand’s pipfruit crop is exported, 12% is consumed domestically, and the rest is processed, mainly into juice.
a) Apples
b) Pears
Click here for Pip Fruit ENZA Varieties, Availabilities and Packing information
Pip Fruit
The term ‘pipfruit’ refers to apples and pears, because of the small hard seeds (pips) in the centre of the fruit. About 60% of New Zealand’s pipfruit crop is exported, 12% is consumed domestically, and the rest is processed, mainly into juice.
a) Apples
b) Pears
Click here for Pip Fruit ENZA Varieties, Availabilities and Packing information
A) APPLES
New Zealand growers have a proud and extensive history in the apple industry and have introduced some very popular and highly sought after varieties. Braeburn, Gala and Royal Gala, originating in New Zealand, have become extremely popular and desirable all around the world. New Zealand’s apple crop consists mostly of the Royal Gala and Braeburn varieties. Fuji, Coxs Orange, Red Delicious and Granny Smith varieties make up the remainder. New varieties are gaining momentum in the market, the most recent being New Zealand Rose and New Zealand BeautyBraeburn apples
Availability :
Cool-Stored : Mar - May
CA-Stored : Jun - Aug
Size/Count : 60 - 150 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Reddish orange stripes/blush
Harvest time : late March – April
Origin : 1952 chance seedling Nelson, NZ.
Taste/texture : Sweet, tart, crisp, firm flesh. Good storage.
Originating in New Zealand, this variety was found as a seedling in the Moutere Hills near Motueka (south island). New Zealand Braeburn is without doubt the best in the world. Braeburn is New Zealand's largest volume variety and it flowers early in the spring and is harvested mid-late autumn giving ample time for the wonderful flavour to develop. It is a large apple with a clean, semi-sweet flavour and crisp, juicy flesh. A firm, juicy bi colour apple Braeburn has a unique combination of sweet and tart flavour. It has excellent storage qualities and is particularly sought-after in Europe and North America
Cool-Stored : Mar - May
CA-Stored : Jun - Aug
Size/Count : 60 - 150 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Reddish orange stripes/blush
Harvest time : late March – April
Origin : 1952 chance seedling Nelson, NZ.
Taste/texture : Sweet, tart, crisp, firm flesh. Good storage.
Originating in New Zealand, this variety was found as a seedling in the Moutere Hills near Motueka (south island). New Zealand Braeburn is without doubt the best in the world. Braeburn is New Zealand's largest volume variety and it flowers early in the spring and is harvested mid-late autumn giving ample time for the wonderful flavour to develop. It is a large apple with a clean, semi-sweet flavour and crisp, juicy flesh. A firm, juicy bi colour apple Braeburn has a unique combination of sweet and tart flavour. It has excellent storage qualities and is particularly sought-after in Europe and North America
Royal Gala apples
Availability :
Cool-Stored : Feb - May
CA-Stored : Jun - Dec
Size/Count : 60 - 180 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Bold red stripes over yellow background
Harvest time : mid February – March
Origin : Gala mutation, NZ
Taste/texture : Crisp, sweet taste, firm white flesh
Royal Gala was developed in New Zealand and is a red selection of the Gala family, favoured for both colour and crunch and New Zealand's second largest volume variety. With a thin skin and crisp sweet flesh, the Royal Gala is a very special dessert apple. Its outstanding appearance and eating qualities have made Royal Gala one of the world's premium varieties. Higher colour strains include Galaxy and Brookfield but the superior sweet flavour remains the same in all colour variations. The delicious Royal Gala is sweet and crisp, making it one of the world's premium apple varieties and New Zealand's second largest volume variety.
Cool-Stored : Feb - May
CA-Stored : Jun - Dec
Size/Count : 60 - 180 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Bold red stripes over yellow background
Harvest time : mid February – March
Origin : Gala mutation, NZ
Taste/texture : Crisp, sweet taste, firm white flesh
Royal Gala was developed in New Zealand and is a red selection of the Gala family, favoured for both colour and crunch and New Zealand's second largest volume variety. With a thin skin and crisp sweet flesh, the Royal Gala is a very special dessert apple. Its outstanding appearance and eating qualities have made Royal Gala one of the world's premium varieties. Higher colour strains include Galaxy and Brookfield but the superior sweet flavour remains the same in all colour variations. The delicious Royal Gala is sweet and crisp, making it one of the world's premium apple varieties and New Zealand's second largest volume variety.
Gala apples
Availability :
Cool-Stored : Feb - May
CA-Stored : Jun - Dec
Size/Count : 60 - 180 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : A pink to red blush on a pale yellow background
Harvest Time : late February until late March
Taste/texture : Very sweet, juicy flavour, crisp flesh and thin skin give Gala a special taste
The gala variety is a unique New Zealand Apple that is now grown worldwide. A premium dessert apple, the Gala was developed in New Zealand in the 1920s from Cox Orange Pippin, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious. Gala apples are small and considered to be a very soft eating apple.It is an excellent export variety. In the 30 years since the gala variety started appearing, high colour varieties have been developed such as Royal Gala, Galaxy and Brookfield
Cool-Stored : Feb - May
CA-Stored : Jun - Dec
Size/Count : 60 - 180 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : A pink to red blush on a pale yellow background
Harvest Time : late February until late March
Taste/texture : Very sweet, juicy flavour, crisp flesh and thin skin give Gala a special taste
The gala variety is a unique New Zealand Apple that is now grown worldwide. A premium dessert apple, the Gala was developed in New Zealand in the 1920s from Cox Orange Pippin, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious. Gala apples are small and considered to be a very soft eating apple.It is an excellent export variety. In the 30 years since the gala variety started appearing, high colour varieties have been developed such as Royal Gala, Galaxy and Brookfield
Fuji apples
Availability :
Cool-Stored : Mar - May
CA-Stored : Jun - Aug
Size/Count : 60 - 180 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Soft pink to red blush or stripes – yellow background
Harvest time : late March – April
Origin : Japan 1950’s cross between Rall’s and Red Delicious
Taste/texture : Firm texture, very crisp, super sweet, super juicy with attractive aroma.
The Fuji variety originated in Japan. Fuji apples are large and very enjoyable taste. Its appeal is low-acid sweetness combined with juicy firm-fleshed crispness. The characteristic colour includes a pink stripe, but high-colour Fuji strains are now available that are closer to red all over. It is great in salads and applesauce. Fuji is a great dessert apple and is one of our favorite snacking apples! The Fuji has excellent storage qualities and tends to last longer than other varieties. With refrigeration, Fuji apples can last up to 5-6 months.
Cool-Stored : Mar - May
CA-Stored : Jun - Aug
Size/Count : 60 - 180 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Soft pink to red blush or stripes – yellow background
Harvest time : late March – April
Origin : Japan 1950’s cross between Rall’s and Red Delicious
Taste/texture : Firm texture, very crisp, super sweet, super juicy with attractive aroma.
The Fuji variety originated in Japan. Fuji apples are large and very enjoyable taste. Its appeal is low-acid sweetness combined with juicy firm-fleshed crispness. The characteristic colour includes a pink stripe, but high-colour Fuji strains are now available that are closer to red all over. It is great in salads and applesauce. Fuji is a great dessert apple and is one of our favorite snacking apples! The Fuji has excellent storage qualities and tends to last longer than other varieties. With refrigeration, Fuji apples can last up to 5-6 months.
New Zealand Beauty apples
Availability :
Cool-Stored : Feb - Apr
Size/Count : 60 - 150 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Pink to bright red blush on a cream background.
Taste : A crisp, sweet eating apple
Developed in Havelock North, New Zealand in the 1970's from cross between the Gala and Splendour varieties. A series of seedlings where developed, NZ Beauty is the earliest of the series to mature during the season. The NZ Beauty is a large, firm and juicy apple with a thin rose red skin and a full sweet flavour. Often described as "a great eat". NZ Beauty is best consumed relatively quickly after harvest (8 to 10 weeks).
Cool-Stored : Feb - Apr
Size/Count : 60 - 150 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Pink to bright red blush on a cream background.
Taste : A crisp, sweet eating apple
Developed in Havelock North, New Zealand in the 1970's from cross between the Gala and Splendour varieties. A series of seedlings where developed, NZ Beauty is the earliest of the series to mature during the season. The NZ Beauty is a large, firm and juicy apple with a thin rose red skin and a full sweet flavour. Often described as "a great eat". NZ Beauty is best consumed relatively quickly after harvest (8 to 10 weeks).
Coxs Orange apples
Availability :
Cool-Stored : Feb - Jun
Size/Count : 60 - 180 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Greenish-yellow apple, some orange-red russetting.
Taste : Sweet, juicy
A semi-sweet, early season dessert apple with red flushes on light yellow skin. Harvested in late February/March, this is one of the first varieties to reach export markets. Cox's Orange apples are excellent for cooking as well as eating raw. The firm, crisp, juicy flesh of this sweet fruit, with its overtones of acidity, make it one of the world's best and most popular apples. It is particularly popular in the United Kingdom where it is desirable as a dessert apple
Cool-Stored : Feb - Jun
Size/Count : 60 - 180 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Greenish-yellow apple, some orange-red russetting.
Taste : Sweet, juicy
A semi-sweet, early season dessert apple with red flushes on light yellow skin. Harvested in late February/March, this is one of the first varieties to reach export markets. Cox's Orange apples are excellent for cooking as well as eating raw. The firm, crisp, juicy flesh of this sweet fruit, with its overtones of acidity, make it one of the world's best and most popular apples. It is particularly popular in the United Kingdom where it is desirable as a dessert apple
Red Delicious apples
Availability :
Cool-Stored : Mar - May
Size/Count : 60 - 150 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Dark / solid red striped skin and distinctive elongated shape.
Taste / Texture : Very sweet flavour, crisp, and juicy apple with delicate texture
The Red Delicious is particularly popular in Asia and other Eastern markets and the Pacific. Red Delicious is the most widely grown apple in the world, having five "points" on the bottom. An excellent snacking apple and great for salads because of the crisp texture and sweetness. Often referred to as America's favorite apple, the Red Delicious has been in the market since 1874 and originated Peru, Iowa. Red Delicious apples are picked from mid-March until mid-April
Cool-Stored : Mar - May
Size/Count : 60 - 150 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Dark / solid red striped skin and distinctive elongated shape.
Taste / Texture : Very sweet flavour, crisp, and juicy apple with delicate texture
The Red Delicious is particularly popular in Asia and other Eastern markets and the Pacific. Red Delicious is the most widely grown apple in the world, having five "points" on the bottom. An excellent snacking apple and great for salads because of the crisp texture and sweetness. Often referred to as America's favorite apple, the Red Delicious has been in the market since 1874 and originated Peru, Iowa. Red Delicious apples are picked from mid-March until mid-April
Pink Lady apples
Availability :
Cool-Stored : Jun - Aug
CA-stored : Jun - Sep
Size/Count : 60 - 165 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Medium-sized, distinctly pinkish to red colour with a pale yellow background
Harvest time : April
Origin : Western Australia 1984
Taste/texture : A creamy white flesh, crisp, juicy with an aromatic and moderately sweet acid taste,
Pink Lady® apples originated through a natural process of cross-pollination between a Golden Delicious and a Lady Williams in the warm sunshine of the Margaret River area, to the south of Perth in Western Australia in 1979. It is a medium sized apple with a pink blush over a green background. Pink Lady is tart and sweet, and is harvested in early to late April. They require great care and dedication in growing, since they mature more slowly than other apples and it is no accident that the best Pink Lady® apples come from areas close to the best wine growing regions of the world. The Pink Lady has an excellent shelf life and is extremely slow to brown when cut
Cool-Stored : Jun - Aug
CA-stored : Jun - Sep
Size/Count : 60 - 165 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Medium-sized, distinctly pinkish to red colour with a pale yellow background
Harvest time : April
Origin : Western Australia 1984
Taste/texture : A creamy white flesh, crisp, juicy with an aromatic and moderately sweet acid taste,
Pink Lady® apples originated through a natural process of cross-pollination between a Golden Delicious and a Lady Williams in the warm sunshine of the Margaret River area, to the south of Perth in Western Australia in 1979. It is a medium sized apple with a pink blush over a green background. Pink Lady is tart and sweet, and is harvested in early to late April. They require great care and dedication in growing, since they mature more slowly than other apples and it is no accident that the best Pink Lady® apples come from areas close to the best wine growing regions of the world. The Pink Lady has an excellent shelf life and is extremely slow to brown when cut
New Zealand Rose / Pacific Rose apples
Availability :
Cool-Stored : Apr - Jun
CA-stored : Jul - Sep
Size/Count : 60 - 180 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Unique rosy pink to red blush over a yellow background.
Harvest time : late March – April.
Origin : HortResearch breeding programme
Taste/texture : Creamy coloured, firm, fine textured, sweet, very crisp and juicy. Good storage.
The third in the series to be harvested from the Havelock North breeding programme. The best variety of apple from the Pacific series of apples that originated here in New Zealand. Pacific Rose is a cross between a Gala and a Splendor (released in 1992). The Pacific Rose is a medium to large fruit. It is harvested in April. This apple has excellent storage ability. It is often compared to the Fuji in flavor and is good for eating out of hand or for use in fruit salads.
Cool-Stored : Apr - Jun
CA-stored : Jul - Sep
Size/Count : 60 - 180 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Unique rosy pink to red blush over a yellow background.
Harvest time : late March – April.
Origin : HortResearch breeding programme
Taste/texture : Creamy coloured, firm, fine textured, sweet, very crisp and juicy. Good storage.
The third in the series to be harvested from the Havelock North breeding programme. The best variety of apple from the Pacific series of apples that originated here in New Zealand. Pacific Rose is a cross between a Gala and a Splendor (released in 1992). The Pacific Rose is a medium to large fruit. It is harvested in April. This apple has excellent storage ability. It is often compared to the Fuji in flavor and is good for eating out of hand or for use in fruit salads.
Granny Smith apples
Availability :
Cool-Stored : Mar - May
CA-stored : Jun - Sep
Size/Count : 60 - 150 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Striking, bright green skin.
Taste : Crunchy, crisp and moderately acidic flesh
A tart, crisp, juicy apple with freckled green skin that is suitable for both eating as is and for cooking. It is a refreshing, tangy eating apple. It has high juice content and keeps very well. The Granny Smith is an excellent desert or cooking apple. The juicy, firm and naturally large size is well known all over the world. Favoured by New Zealand growers for its keeping ability "in a box on the cold side of the shed", for consumption over winter. They are also favoured for salads because the slices do not brown as quickly as other varieties. Granny Smiths are harvested in April and early May.
Cool-Stored : Mar - May
CA-stored : Jun - Sep
Size/Count : 60 - 150 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Striking, bright green skin.
Taste : Crunchy, crisp and moderately acidic flesh
A tart, crisp, juicy apple with freckled green skin that is suitable for both eating as is and for cooking. It is a refreshing, tangy eating apple. It has high juice content and keeps very well. The Granny Smith is an excellent desert or cooking apple. The juicy, firm and naturally large size is well known all over the world. Favoured by New Zealand growers for its keeping ability "in a box on the cold side of the shed", for consumption over winter. They are also favoured for salads because the slices do not brown as quickly as other varieties. Granny Smiths are harvested in April and early May.
Pacific Queen / New Zealand Queen apples
Availability :
Cool-Stored : Apr - Jun
CA-stored : Jul - Sep
Size/Count : 60 - 180 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Bright red blush with russeted lenticels and stem end.
Taste : Very sweet, rich flavour. Very crisp and juicy.
New Zealand Queen is a deep red, firm, juicy and sweet apple variety. A really superb eating apple New Zealand Queen is a cross between Gala and Splendor that was developed in the Hawke's Bay region. New Zealand Queen is harvested mid season and is well known for its excellent keeping qualities. It can be difficult to grow but the effort is worthwhile as New Zealand Queen is superb eating apple
Cool-Stored : Apr - Jun
CA-stored : Jul - Sep
Size/Count : 60 - 180 (Z-Pack equivalent)
Appearance : Bright red blush with russeted lenticels and stem end.
Taste : Very sweet, rich flavour. Very crisp and juicy.
New Zealand Queen is a deep red, firm, juicy and sweet apple variety. A really superb eating apple New Zealand Queen is a cross between Gala and Splendor that was developed in the Hawke's Bay region. New Zealand Queen is harvested mid season and is well known for its excellent keeping qualities. It can be difficult to grow but the effort is worthwhile as New Zealand Queen is superb eating apple
Jazz apples
Appearance : Bright orange-red stripes over a yellow background.
Harvest time : early March – early April.
Origin : HortResearch Gala/Braeburn cross. Exclusive ENZA variety
Taste/texture : Very firm and crispy, juicy and sweet, with an aromatic zing.
Jazz apples are new on the world market. They are a sweet, crisp apple with firm flesh and excellent keeping qualities. The cultivar was bred in New Zealand by crossing Braeburn with Royal Gala, part of a government apple-breeding programme that ran through the 1980s and 1990s. In 2002, Jazz apples were granted plant variety rights, ensuring that New Zealand receives royalties from fruit grown overseas. Jazz is now New Zealand's fourth largest export apple variety by volume, behind Royal Gala, Braeburn and Fuji. Jazz was first planted commercially in 1999 and became available in small volumes in 2001.
Harvest time : early March – early April.
Origin : HortResearch Gala/Braeburn cross. Exclusive ENZA variety
Taste/texture : Very firm and crispy, juicy and sweet, with an aromatic zing.
Jazz apples are new on the world market. They are a sweet, crisp apple with firm flesh and excellent keeping qualities. The cultivar was bred in New Zealand by crossing Braeburn with Royal Gala, part of a government apple-breeding programme that ran through the 1980s and 1990s. In 2002, Jazz apples were granted plant variety rights, ensuring that New Zealand receives royalties from fruit grown overseas. Jazz is now New Zealand's fourth largest export apple variety by volume, behind Royal Gala, Braeburn and Fuji. Jazz was first planted commercially in 1999 and became available in small volumes in 2001.
Southern Snap apples
Appearance : A fully dark red outer skin.
Taste / Texture : Tangy-sweet with firm white inner meat
Recently developed in New Zealand, Southern Snap is a bright red apple with a rich tangy flavour. The flesh is crisp and juicy with excellent storage characteristics. It is a good apple for eating out of hand and for use in fresh-cut trays, since it resists browning naturally. Southern Snap has the potential to become popular in Europe and North America. It is picked from late February until mid-March
Taste / Texture : Tangy-sweet with firm white inner meat
Recently developed in New Zealand, Southern Snap is a bright red apple with a rich tangy flavour. The flesh is crisp and juicy with excellent storage characteristics. It is a good apple for eating out of hand and for use in fresh-cut trays, since it resists browning naturally. Southern Snap has the potential to become popular in Europe and North America. It is picked from late February until mid-March
B) PEARS
Taylors Gold pears
Appearance : completely russeted skin, golden/cinnamon colour
Harvest time : March
Origin : NZ natural mutation of Doyenne du Comice
Taste/texture : rich, sweet, juicy, flavour.
Appearance : Closely related to the Doyenne du Comice, Taylors Gold is a medium-large pear with a completely cinnamon coloured russet skin. Developed in New Zealand.
Taste : The yellowish-white and melting flesh is very juicy
Harvest time : March
Origin : NZ natural mutation of Doyenne du Comice
Taste/texture : rich, sweet, juicy, flavour.
Appearance : Closely related to the Doyenne du Comice, Taylors Gold is a medium-large pear with a completely cinnamon coloured russet skin. Developed in New Zealand.
Taste : The yellowish-white and melting flesh is very juicy
Packhams Triumph pears
Size/Count : 60 - 150
(Z-Pack equivalent)
Season : Mar – mid July
Appearance : yellowish-green colour
Harvest time : late February - March
Taste/texture : good flavour. Firm and juicy.
Season : Mar – mid July
Appearance : yellowish-green colour
Harvest time : late February - March
Taste/texture : good flavour. Firm and juicy.
Beurre Bosc pears
Size/Count : 60 - 150
(Z-Pack equivalent)
Season : mid Feb – mid May
Appearance : russeted variety, golden in colour
Harvest time : mid-February - mid-March
Taste/texture : Flavour good. Good for cooking.
Appearance : A medium-large pear with a characteristically long neck, cinnamon-brown russet skin and fine, melting flesh.
Taste : Beurre Bosc is an excellent eating, crisp pear.
Season : mid Feb – mid May
Appearance : russeted variety, golden in colour
Harvest time : mid-February - mid-March
Taste/texture : Flavour good. Good for cooking.
Appearance : A medium-large pear with a characteristically long neck, cinnamon-brown russet skin and fine, melting flesh.
Taste : Beurre Bosc is an excellent eating, crisp pear.
Doyenne du Comice pears
Appearance : yellowish green skin with red blush. A large pear
Harvest time : late February - March
Taste/texture : Firm and juicy. Good flavour.
Appearance : A large pear with yellowish-green skin which often has a red blush.
Taste : The flesh is fine, juicy and sweet with a melting texture. This is certainly a premium eating pear.
Harvest time : late February - March
Taste/texture : Firm and juicy. Good flavour.
Appearance : A large pear with yellowish-green skin which often has a red blush.
Taste : The flesh is fine, juicy and sweet with a melting texture. This is certainly a premium eating pear.