Key Takeaways
- Zespri’s Innovation Investment: The company is reaffirming its US$2 million investment into ZAG, the Zespri Innovation Fund, supporting sustainable agricultural advancements.
- Focus on Climate Resilience: ZAG is prioritizing climate resilience solutions to enhance kiwifruit production, orchard sustainability, and carbon-positive practices.
- Global Collaboration: Over 100 submissions from 15+ countries have been received, with 11 moving into pilot programs.
- Innovative Sustainability Initiatives: Projects include biochar applications, chemical signature analysis for harvest planning, and microwave sensing for non-destructive quality assessments.
- Future Vision: ZAG will refresh its focus quarterly, with climate resilience as the first priority, aiming for a carbon-positive industry by 2035.
Zespri Strengthens Commitment to Sustainable Kiwifruit Innovation
Zespri, the world’s largest kiwifruit marketer, generating over US$2.5 billion in revenue and representing one-third of global industry volume, has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating sustainable innovation. The company is reinvesting US$2 million into ZAG, the Zespri Innovation Fund, which aims to support the growing demand for kiwifruit while fostering sustainable agricultural advancements.
Driving Climate Resilience in Kiwifruit Production
Launched in November 2023, ZAG is designed to encourage collaboration among innovators, researchers, and industry pioneers to strengthen climate resilience within food systems. The fund focuses on four key areas:
- Enhancing Kiwifruit Quality and Orchard Productivity: Improving fruit quality and boosting on-orchard efficiency.
- Promoting Health and Wellbeing: Encouraging kiwifruit consumption for nutritional benefits.
- Protecting and Enhancing the Environment: Supporting sustainability initiatives in agriculture.
- Strengthening the Kiwifruit Industry: Benefitting growers and local communities by fostering a thriving sector.
Since its launch, ZAG has received over 100 submissions from more than 15 countries, with 11 projects moving into pilot stages.
Innovation in Sustainable Kiwifruit Farming
ZAG pilots have already explored a range of sustainability efforts, including:
- Biochar applications in kiwifruit orchards to enhance productivity while reducing carbon emissions.
- Chemical signature analysis technology to improve harvest planning based on fruit emissions.
- Microwave sensing technology for non-destructive kiwifruit quality assessment, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
Zespri’s Long-Term Vision for Sustainability
Jiunn Shih, Chief Marketing, Innovation, and Sustainability Officer at Zespri, emphasized the positive impact of ZAG’s first year and outlined future plans: “We’ve had a really positive first year with ZAG. It’s helped connect us with innovative problem solvers from around the world to address key challenges our industry faces as we meet the growing demand for kiwifruit, but this is just the beginning.”
For Year Two, the company is prioritizing climate resilience solutions: “We are heightening our efforts to focus on strengthening climate resilience and solutions that will help us grow a more sustainable future, one kiwifruit at a time.”
ZAG’s focus areas will be refreshed every quarter, beginning with climate resilience. This aligns with Zespri’s broader sustainability commitment to become a carbon-positive industry by 2035.
