On-orchard assurance
To make that guarantee, Zespri has a number of comprehensive and integrated assurance programmes that cover all stages of production from growing fruit in the orchard through to the packing, storage and distribution of the Zespri Kiwifruit.
Zespri Good Agricultural Practice (Zespri GAP)
- All growers who want to export fruit must be certified to GLOBALG.A.P.
- Zespri GAP is based on the internationally recognised GLOBALG.A.P. Standard and incorporates additional elements to meet all of our customers’ expectations. Zespri GAP includes a wide range of standards, including ethical trading, sustainability and safe food production.
- Zespri operates a GLOBALG.A.P. certified Option 2 group structure for the majority of its New Zealand grower base. There are a small percentage of New Zealand growers who are independently GLOBALG.A.P. certified.
Zespri Crop Protection Standard
The Zespri Crop Protection Standard advises growers which Agrichemical Compounds may be applied to fruit that will be marketed by Zespri and provides guidance on when and how they should be applied. There are different standards for Conventional and Organic production systems. These standards ensure fruit meets market requirements, is safe and suitable for our consumers and that it is produced in an environmentally responsible manner.
Zespri KiwiGreen (Integrated Pest Management)
Since 1997, every kiwifruit exported from New Zealand has been produced in line with our orchard management system called 'KiwiGreen'. Our KiwiGreen programme provides growers with information about pests they may find in their orchard, how to monitor these and, if necessary, how to control them in a safe and environmentally sound manner.
Zespri Residue Assurance Programme
Zespri carries out extensive residue testing on fruit from each of our orchards. In this way, we can provide independent and factual information about the use of agricultural chemicals for pest and disease control and provide assurances to our markets and customers that residues limits are met.
Organics
All Zespri organic orchards are certified by BioGro New ZealandLtd, an internationally accredited organic certification body.
Maturity Testing
Ensuring that all fruit are harvested at the correct maturity is a key step in ensuring consumers receive wonderful tasting fruit. Prior to harvest all orchards are tested by an independent laboratory to ensure that fruit meets Zespri's strict maturity requirements.
Post-harvest assurance
Traceability
Every box of Zespri Kiwifruit sold globally can be identified and tracked back to where it was grown and packed.
Food Safety
All post-harvest facilities are required to adhere to Zespri’s strict food safety standards, including certification to a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) approved food safety programme.
These standards are based on HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) principles, where risks to food safety are systematically identified to enable appropriate controls to be put in place to manage each risk.
Grade Assurance
Zespri sets standards for the grade and quality of fruit. Zespri auditors regularly visit post-harvest facilities to ensure that these standards are complied with. Further product checks are completed prior to export and again on arrival in the market.
Customs
Zespri is an accredited partner in the New Zealand Customs Secure Export Scheme (SES). The systems in place ensure that all of Zespri’s kiwifruit exports are packed, stored and distributed in a manner that prevents tampering, contamination or threat.
Click here to view our New Zealand customs certificate.
Phytosanitary
Zespri has an integrated phytosanitary compliance programme that meets the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Certification Standards. The programme is integrated throughout the Zespri business and post-harvest to ensure that product shipped to market meets the importing countries’ phytosanitary requirements.