New Zealand kiwifruit deal gives A.J. Trucco direct 12-month supply
New Zealand kiwifruit deal gives A.J. Trucco direct 12-month supply
The first shipment of New Zealand kiwifruit destined for A.J. Trucco at the Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, NY, arrived in the United States on June 10. That shipment set a milestone for the company, which is an importer of specialty and conventional produce, nuts and dried fruit. A.J. Trucco will now be able to offer its customers an uninterrupted annual supply of kiwifruit.
Nick Pacia, vice president of A. J. Trucco, said that this is the first year the company is importing from New Zealand, which is known worldwide for its high quality and large supplies of kiwifruit. Until now, A. J. Trucco has imported kiwifruit from Italy, California and Chile. Although the fruit from these sources is also considered high quality, not having supplies from New Zealand left a gap in the annual availability calendar for the company.
"New Zealand kiwifruit was the only primary source we were missing," said Mr. Pacia. "A supply deal with this region means we can now offer our customers a 12-month-a-year supply. California kiwifruit ships from late September into December. Italian supplies begin near the end of November and run until March. We are currently coming down from our Chilean kiwifruit season, which runs from March through June. Previously, that left a gap in supply until California began again in September. Supplies from New Zealand will now fill that void.
Mr. Pacia said that the deal with New Zealand was difficult because a national kiwifruit commission regulates kiwifruit from that country. A. J. Trucco officials worked with the commission for about six months to iron out all the details involved. It will supply its small independent retailers in the New York metro area with the kiwifruit through the Hunts Point distribution facility. Although it is a relatively small program, Mr. Pacia said that he is proud to have gained distribution rights for the highly regarded product. A.J. Trucco is offering several value-added options in kiwifruit packaging for its customers.
A.J. Trucco's first shipment was loaded May 9 in New Zealand. Mr. Pacia said that New Zealand kiwifruit is durable enough to handle the one-month shipping time without a problem. It is also considered to have superior size, taste, shape, color and Brix level, rendering it among the more highly -- if not the most highly -- sought after kiwifruit in the world. Growers harvest the fruit when it is at a precise Brix level, which gives it a long shelf life. In fact, harvesting is completed in early July, but the fruit is stored and shipped through September. When stored at the right temperature, it survives extremely well for as long as six months.
The New Zealand deal is a very important step for A.J. Trucco, according to Mr. Pacia.
"We're starting small because we feel it's important to know our supplier and vice-versa, he said. "Once we have developed a sound relationship, and have had successful results with the product, we will go forward regarding expansions. We believe that everything is in place with this deal, and we look forward to future growth with New Zealand suppliers.
A.J. Trucco began by importing Italian chestnuts in 1937 and selling them at the Washington market in downtown Manhattan. Salvatore Vacca, who worked for the company for many years, bought the firm in 1965, and in 1967, he moved the operation to its current location at the Hunts Point Market. Mr. Pacia immigrated to the United States in 1990 and began his own chestnut importing company. The two men partnered in 1999. Besides chestnuts, the company now imports a variety of fresh produce including fine fruits and nuts from all over the world.
Nick Pacia, vice president of A. J. Trucco, said that this is the first year the company is importing from New Zealand, which is known worldwide for its high quality and large supplies of kiwifruit. Until now, A. J. Trucco has imported kiwifruit from Italy, California and Chile. Although the fruit from these sources is also considered high quality, not having supplies from New Zealand left a gap in the annual availability calendar for the company.
"New Zealand kiwifruit was the only primary source we were missing," said Mr. Pacia. "A supply deal with this region means we can now offer our customers a 12-month-a-year supply. California kiwifruit ships from late September into December. Italian supplies begin near the end of November and run until March. We are currently coming down from our Chilean kiwifruit season, which runs from March through June. Previously, that left a gap in supply until California began again in September. Supplies from New Zealand will now fill that void.
Mr. Pacia said that the deal with New Zealand was difficult because a national kiwifruit commission regulates kiwifruit from that country. A. J. Trucco officials worked with the commission for about six months to iron out all the details involved. It will supply its small independent retailers in the New York metro area with the kiwifruit through the Hunts Point distribution facility. Although it is a relatively small program, Mr. Pacia said that he is proud to have gained distribution rights for the highly regarded product. A.J. Trucco is offering several value-added options in kiwifruit packaging for its customers.
A.J. Trucco's first shipment was loaded May 9 in New Zealand. Mr. Pacia said that New Zealand kiwifruit is durable enough to handle the one-month shipping time without a problem. It is also considered to have superior size, taste, shape, color and Brix level, rendering it among the more highly -- if not the most highly -- sought after kiwifruit in the world. Growers harvest the fruit when it is at a precise Brix level, which gives it a long shelf life. In fact, harvesting is completed in early July, but the fruit is stored and shipped through September. When stored at the right temperature, it survives extremely well for as long as six months.
The New Zealand deal is a very important step for A.J. Trucco, according to Mr. Pacia.
"We're starting small because we feel it's important to know our supplier and vice-versa, he said. "Once we have developed a sound relationship, and have had successful results with the product, we will go forward regarding expansions. We believe that everything is in place with this deal, and we look forward to future growth with New Zealand suppliers.
A.J. Trucco began by importing Italian chestnuts in 1937 and selling them at the Washington market in downtown Manhattan. Salvatore Vacca, who worked for the company for many years, bought the firm in 1965, and in 1967, he moved the operation to its current location at the Hunts Point Market. Mr. Pacia immigrated to the United States in 1990 and began his own chestnut importing company. The two men partnered in 1999. Besides chestnuts, the company now imports a variety of fresh produce including fine fruits and nuts from all over the world.
