2024–25 apple harvest exceeds expectations, says Apples and Pears NZ CEO
The 2024-25 season apple harvest has “well and truly exceeded expectations”, says Apples and Pears NZ chief executive Karen Morrish.
Gaining momentum from the global roll-out of its new brand in July, NZ fruit company Rockit has recently launched its biggest sales and marketing campaign.
From mainland China to the Middle East, Rockit says it is driving its back-to-school campaign into thousands of stores and homes in its key global markets, promoting the nutritional and health benefits of choosing Rockit as children head back to the classroom.
Julian Smith, general manager global marketing for Rockit Global, says Rockit - which is sold in 30 countries worldwide - is currently in the midst of a very sharp growth curve across its international markets with volume up 43% on 2020 figures. He says the back-to-school campaign uses multiple platforms and touchpoints to establish the fully mature, miniature apple as the right healthy snack for kids to fuel their day.
"This is the first time we've launched a global marketing campaign of this size and calibre into some of our most exciting markets like the UAE, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Saudi Arabia."
He says consumers will be able to access a new interactive campaign microsite featuring downloadable activities, competitions and giveaways, as well as creative ideas to get everyone from kids to adults moving.
"Importantly, we're ramping up our social media and digital marketing in our key back-to-school markets with influencer content and collaborations, and delivering that content in traditional and simplified Chinese, and Arabic."
Smith says the campagin is another step in Rockit's journey towards sharing 400 million of its snack-sized apples with the world by 2025.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.

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