Apple trader turns 50

Johnny Appleseed's managing director, John Paynter says ENZAFOODS innovation has meant growers can prosper because they've created a growing market for second grade fruit that can't be exported.

"ENZAFOODS is a world leader in the international juicing market and should be congratulated on 50 successful years in business. It has revolutionised the apple industry by creating a market for fruit that used to be mopped up as rubbish," he says.

ENZAFOODS, New Zealand's largest apple processing company, has marked its 50th birthday by opening a $4 million processing line in Hastings.

The new $4 million line at, purpose built to produce premium fruit products, and will create up to 30 new jobs bringing the workforce to over 150 during the season.

ENZAFOODS is now injecting an estimated $40 million into the economies of Hawke's Bay and Nelson and providing more profitable contracts to growers for second grade fruit.

General manager Jon Marks says by pureeing and dicing apples, the company has created huge demand for premium fruit products under the FreshFields brand and is delivering profits back to growers.

"We've enjoyed tremendous growth, development and innovation, strengthening New Zealand's international reputation as a premium processor of both fruit and vegetables."

This year Enzafoods will process 110,000 tonnes of apples, pears, carrots, berries, kiwifruit and feijoas into juices, juice concentrates, purees and diced and sliced products, supplied into industrial, food service, hospitality and retail markets in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and the USA.