Oppy celebrates 70 years of New Zealand apples as fresh Southern Hemisphere Envy™ crop arrives
Consumer research reinforces New Zealand’s reputation for premium quality fruit
As Oppy welcomes the first arrivals of fresh Southern Hemisphere Envy™ apples, the company is also celebrating a remarkable milestone: 70 years of bringing New Zealand apples to North America.
The season marks seven decades of trusted grower partnerships in a country renowned for producing some of the world’s finest fruit. According to a recent independent consumer study by Oppy, New Zealand continues to have a strong reputation among shoppers, with 71 percent of consumers familiar with New Zealand fruit, considering it favorable to alternate sources. Nearly 70 percent are willing to pay a premium for New Zealand fruit, citing better taste, longer freshness and confidence in food safety, while more than 90 percent rate New Zealand fruit highly for taste and flavor.
With apples arriving first from New Zealand and South Africa before transitioning to Chile later in the season, Oppy’s global Envy™ program continues to deliver a seamless, year-round supply of one of the world’s most sought-after apple varieties.
“New Zealand has earned its reputation as a world-class growing region through an unwavering commitment to quality, innovation and consistency,” said Piers Hanbury, executive director of apples, pears and category development. “As we celebrate 70 years of partnership between Oppy and New Zealand growers, we’re proud to continue connecting North American consumers with exceptional fruit that consistently delivers on flavor and eating experience. The new crop is looking outstanding and positions us well to support strong retail performance throughout the season.”
While kiwifruit remains the fruit most commonly associated with New Zealand, consumer awareness of the country’s apple industry is equally strong, with apples ranking among the most recognized and purchased categories. New Zealand fruit also receives particularly high marks for its premium quality credentials, with 88 percent of consumers rating it highly for quality.
For Oppy, the milestone is especially meaningful. The company introduced New Zealand-grown Granny Smith apples to North America in 1956, launching a relationship that helped shape its category leadership today. That legacy is reflected in the 51-year relationship of CEO, Managing Partner and Chair John Anderson has had with New Zealand’s Apple and Pear Marketing Board, helping introduce additional iconic varieties over the years.
Senior Vice President of Categories and Chief Marketing Officer James Milne shared, “As a proud Kiwi, this anniversary is personally meaningful to me. I began my career marketing New Zealand apples and joined Oppy in 1994 to help grow the company’s apple business. Since then, I’ve had the honor of working across virtually every category in our portfolio, but New Zealand apples have always held a special place for me. What started as a bold vision to market apples year-round has evolved into a global supply network that delivers premium fruit to consumers every day of the year. Celebrating 70 years of partnership between Oppy and New Zealand growers is a testament to the strength of those relationships and shared commitment to excellence.”
Demand for Envy™ apples continues to grow as consumers seek premium apple varieties that deliver exceptional sweetness, crunch and consistency. Backed by strategic partnerships across Washington, New York, New Zealand, South Africa and Chile, Oppy’s year-round supply program ensures uninterrupted availability while maintaining the high standards shoppers expect from the category.
