Zespri RubyRed kiwifruit expands, including three new markets
Zespri RubyRed kiwifruit expands, including three new markets
More than five million trays of Zespri’s RubyRed kiwifruit will soon be available for consumers across 16 markets this season.
The increased volume, up from 3 million trays last year as more orchards produce commercial volumes of fruit, will see consumers in Australia, Vietnam and Canada able to enjoy the sweet berry-like taste of Zespri’s RubyRed kiwifruit for the first time.
CEO Jason Te Brake said RubyRed kiwifruit continues to prove popular with consumers and plays an important role in starting Zespri’s sales season with strong momentum, including in those markets receiving the RubyRed variety for the first time.
“RubyRed Kiwifruit is the first of our kiwifruit harvested each season, helping create excitement and secure early shelf space ahead of our SunGold and Green kiwifruit — something we saw last season with strong sales and positive feedback from our markets,” he said. "Building on last year’s successful introduction of RubyRed in the United States and strong volume growth in North America over recent seasons, we’re now able to expand beyond the western states and into Canada.”
RubyRed volume to the U.S. will triple this year, with retail sales expected to get under way in mid-April. There will also be increased volumes in Zespri’s core markets of China and Japan, with RubyRed sales programs already under way in China. Zespri RubyRed kiwifruit is also now available on shelves in New Zealand.
“RubyRed’s shorter shelf life means it’s typically available for around eight weeks, with consumers loving its bright red color and sweet, berry-like taste. It contains a number of antioxidants such as anthocyanins — naturally occurring pigments that give the fruit its red color — and is a good source of folate, potassium and Vitamin C and E," he said. "RubyRed is also helping attract new and younger consumers to the kiwifruit category, as well as the wider fruit category.”
To support the growth of RubyRed, in late 2025 Zespri commercialized an additional red variety, Red80, to extend the commercial selling season. Red80 is harvested slightly later than Zespri’s existing Red19 cultivar and has a longer storage life, with the two varieties working together under the Zespri RubyRed trademark to extend availability, build awareness and lift demand.