SUSTAINABILITY
The Zespri Way
Zespri’s ambition is to be the world’s healthiest fruit brand by 2035, with sustainability underpinning our efforts to achieve this.
The kiwifruit we produce is in demand around the world for its great taste and the natural nutritional boost it offers. In response, we are embedding more sustainable and resilient practices across our global supply chain, while as an industry contributing to strong, thriving communities in New Zealand and across the globe.
Zespri is focusing our efforts on four strategic areas that reflect both our impact on the world and the risks and opportunities we face:
1. Nutrition
Creating social as well as financial value through delivering a nutrition-dense healthy product to our consumers in a way that addresses societal challenges to maintaining good diets.
There’s strong interest in kiwifruit with consumers around the world seeking healthy, delicious and safe foods.
We’ve responded by placing an emphasis on the health and nutrition of our high in Vitamin C kiwifruit, and in 2025 secured an approved health claim from the European Union Commission for green kiwifruit’s contribution to digestive health.
Zespri Kiwifruit consistently ranks as one of the most nutrient-rich fruit available, providing everyday good health. The vitamins, antioxidants and minerals of kiwifruit drive its superior nutritional value and make it one of the healthiest fruits available. Read more here.
2. Decarbonisation
Reducing risk exposure and protecting access to markets by taking a step-by-step approach to decarbonising our business.
Zespri supports alignment with the Paris Agreement, and our ambition is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Developing a credible, practical pathway to net zero is critical to our ambition to become the world’s healthiest fruit brand, remain competitive, and deliver long term value for growers and shareholders.
We are taking a phased approach, setting shortterm climate targets to reduce emissions. Further details on our ambition and targets can be found here and in our 2026 Climate Change Transition Plan.
An example of our recent efforts include partnering with Fresh Carriers Co., Ltd (FCC) in 2025 to carry out the first kiwifruit charter trial powered by a low-emissions fuel. On its journey from New Zealand, the vessel Kowhai was powered by a blend of biofuel made from used cooking oil, and delivered 1.2 million trays or around 5,400 tonnes of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit, as well as 16 containers of Zespri RubyRed Kiwifruit to customers in Greater China.
3. Climate resilience
Building the resilience of our organisation to the impacts of climate change.
Zespri’s physical climate risk assessment and adaptation planning considers how climate change may affect the business across the value chain, including New Zealand and offshore growing regions, as well as climate-related supply risks affecting distribution and global production.
Zespri and the wider kiwifruit industry face ongoing and escalating physical climate risks, and long-term adaptation will depend on continued innovation, the availability of appropriate technologies, and alignment with evolving customer and consumer demands.
To further support adaptation and resilience into the future, we have established two adaptation goals, supported by objectives and actions. Read more about our goals here and in our 2026 Climate Change Transition Plan.
4. Packaging
Ensuring we differentiate our brand through iconic packaging that meets consumer expectations.
We’ve been working on moving away from the ‘take, make and dispose’ model of production to a circular one where more of our packaging is reused, recycled or composted.
In 2024, Zespri and partner Sinclair, a global leader in fruit labeling technology, launched the newest and most innovative compostable fruit label. The compostable sticker provides a minimal packaging solution that reduces consumer waste compared to other packaging. It can be disposed of in-home compost bins along with fruit peels and other organic waste, simplifying consumer waste management. This innovative product marks a significant step forward in produce packaging and environmental responsibility.
Packaging is also embedded within Zespri’s strategy. We have a continued focus on packaging’s role in protecting fruit quality, and as a key brand touchpoint for shoppers and consumers, while driving reduced environmental impacts and cost optimization. Through this strategy, we've established two targets for our packaging. Read more about these targets here.
In addition we are undertaking work on water, biodiversity, diversity, equity and inclusion, and worker rights.
For more information, please click through to our corporate website.
