Argentine pears dominate Oppenheimer?s early Southern Hemisphere pipfruit plans
Argentine pears dominate Oppenheimer?s early Southern Hemisphere pipfruit plans
The Southern Hemisphere pear season is shaping up well for The Oppenheimer Group, one of the industry's larger marketers of Argentine pears based in Vancouver, BC.
According to David Nelley, Oppenheimer?s pipfruit category director, the company represented nearly 20 percent of Argentina?s apple and pear exports to North America in 2004, and the company expects to increase that proportion in 2005.
?The market is very encouraging," Mr. Nelley said. "We believe a great opportunity for pears from Argentina exists this year. The season is well-timed to dovetail into retail programs as supplies of domestically grown fruit wind down."
While Oppenheimer will carry several pear varieties, including Anjous and Packhams, Mr. Nelley is particularly enthusiastic about the Williams Bartlett. "While most pears have reached the peak of their maturity by the time the exterior appears fully ripe, the Williams Bartlett matures from the inside out," he said. "This enhances the longevity of the fruit at retail."
A small number of select growers ship their fruit in a multitude of pack styles for Oppenheimer. The majority will be sold under the company?s brand.
Oppenheimer received its first Argentine pears at the port of Wilmington, DE, during the week of Feb. 7, and promotable volumes are available now, Mr. Nelley said. "Sampling and advertising and other merchandising activities will remind shoppers that pears deliver terrific flavor this time of year," he said.
Close on the heels of the Argentine pear program, Oppenheimer is also offering apples from both Argentina and Chile, with volumes of Royal Gala, Granny Smith, Braeburn and Fuji appearing in mid- to late February.
?The Argentine industry is definitely feeling the draw of the euro," Mr. Nelley said. "The same is true for Chile. Our Chilean program is centered around fruit that is earmarked for specific retail programs."
Mr. Nelley said that the outlook for the Chilean apple season is optimistic, with adolescent trees reaching their full production potential and vigorously yielding robust fruit.
Oppenheimer will also market a full range of Chilean Asian pear varieties.
?We?re excited to offer fruit from Chile as part of our 12-month Asian pear program," Mr. Nelley said. "We believe in the potential of these pears and hope to help our customers bolster their sales by providing a steady supply of great-tasting, refreshing pears all year long."
Oppenheimer is looking ahead to further strengthen its pipfruit repertoire with apples and pears from New Zealand. The first arrivals in the popular "ENZA? brand are expected in mid-March.
According to David Nelley, Oppenheimer?s pipfruit category director, the company represented nearly 20 percent of Argentina?s apple and pear exports to North America in 2004, and the company expects to increase that proportion in 2005.
?The market is very encouraging," Mr. Nelley said. "We believe a great opportunity for pears from Argentina exists this year. The season is well-timed to dovetail into retail programs as supplies of domestically grown fruit wind down."
While Oppenheimer will carry several pear varieties, including Anjous and Packhams, Mr. Nelley is particularly enthusiastic about the Williams Bartlett. "While most pears have reached the peak of their maturity by the time the exterior appears fully ripe, the Williams Bartlett matures from the inside out," he said. "This enhances the longevity of the fruit at retail."
A small number of select growers ship their fruit in a multitude of pack styles for Oppenheimer. The majority will be sold under the company?s brand.
Oppenheimer received its first Argentine pears at the port of Wilmington, DE, during the week of Feb. 7, and promotable volumes are available now, Mr. Nelley said. "Sampling and advertising and other merchandising activities will remind shoppers that pears deliver terrific flavor this time of year," he said.
Close on the heels of the Argentine pear program, Oppenheimer is also offering apples from both Argentina and Chile, with volumes of Royal Gala, Granny Smith, Braeburn and Fuji appearing in mid- to late February.
?The Argentine industry is definitely feeling the draw of the euro," Mr. Nelley said. "The same is true for Chile. Our Chilean program is centered around fruit that is earmarked for specific retail programs."
Mr. Nelley said that the outlook for the Chilean apple season is optimistic, with adolescent trees reaching their full production potential and vigorously yielding robust fruit.
Oppenheimer will also market a full range of Chilean Asian pear varieties.
?We?re excited to offer fruit from Chile as part of our 12-month Asian pear program," Mr. Nelley said. "We believe in the potential of these pears and hope to help our customers bolster their sales by providing a steady supply of great-tasting, refreshing pears all year long."
Oppenheimer is looking ahead to further strengthen its pipfruit repertoire with apples and pears from New Zealand. The first arrivals in the popular "ENZA? brand are expected in mid-March.
