10 Aug 2015

Zespri sets up marketing hub in Singapore

7:13 am on 10 August 2015

Kiwifruit marketer Zespri has set up a new global sales and marketing hub in Singapore to boost international sales.

Prime Minister John Key takes part in the Maori blessing of the Singapore office, led by carver James Tapiata (left).

Prime Minister John Key takes part in the Maori blessing of the Singapore office, led by carver James Tapiata (left). Photo: Supplied

Zespri chair Peter McBride said the company was in a growth phase with volumes of its higher value Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit set to double from 30 million trays this year to around 60 million trays by 2019.

He said the hub would bring together services for the wider Asian region and Europe to balance the company's market portfolio, so it was not exclusively focused on the high growth in China.

"What we've done here is trying to get our best sales and marketing executive all in one place, so that they can work and think together.

"I think it really shows Zespri is becoming more of a global company, in terms of our culture I think it's really significant we have one global team, so we're really excited about the development."

Mr McBride said kiwifruit sales in Japan and China were at record levels to date.

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