ORANGE COUNTY, CALIF. — At the Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, Calif. July 10-11, Zespri is offering samples of its top-selling Organic SunGold and Green Kiwifruit at Booth 713.

Zespri is also sponsoring the event’s Morning Break July 11, 10-10:30 a.m., where it will showcase its Organic SunGold Kiwifruit as a convenient and easy snack.

“Zespri has been supplying the North American market with Organic SunGold and Green Kiwifruit varieties for nearly a decade,” said Darren LaMothe, Zespri’s General Manager, North America. “Zespri’s had five straight years of growth in organic sales in the U.S., with a four-year CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 92%! Both Organic SunGold and Green Kiwi are the top-selling organic kiwi SKUS.”

Organic market growth

Citing the Organic Trade Association, Zespri said organic products hit a new record return of $70 billion last year and that shoppers are still looking for the USDA Organic label in the midst of inflation.

Zespri said this past season, its organic kiwifruit had a dollar growth of 28% and volume growth of 20% in the United States, accounting for the majority of organic kiwifruit sales this past year.

“Our growth is driven by our 1-pound Organic SunGold pack,” LaMothe said. “It accounts for over half of the total Zespri organic sales this past season while driving the largest growth of 60%. Kiwifruit is no longer considered an exotic fruit. It is a high-growth, everyday item now and it sells best when it is prominently displayed adding incremental sales to the produce department.”

Instore merchandising displays

Zespri’s instore merchandising displays are designed to drive more retail sales in the produce department, the company said.

“When both varieties of SunGold and Green Kiwis are merchandised together, sales increased 32% compared to another green kiwi brand,” Zespri said. “Additionally, when SunGold and Green Kiwi organic varieties are included in a display, there is an automatic halo effect of favorable consumer perception.”

Zespri is also pushing a robust digital marketing campaign for its kiwifruit and said last year’s program generated more than 1 billion impressions and encouraged new household usage. The company expects this year’s campaign to meet or surpass last year’s numbers.

“We are excited to be an exhibitor and sponsor at the Organic Produce Summit,” LaMothe said. “We are energized by the steady growth of organic fruit sales and are passionate about continuing the momentum with Zespri leading the kiwi category. Our account managers will be available to meet with retailers to discuss how to increase sales of their Zespri Organic SunGold and Green Kiwifruit. We have helpful industry information, support materials and knowledge to customize programs just for them.”