Zespri, the world’s largest kiwifruit marketer which manages around one-third of the industry’s global volume, announced the establishment of a new innovation funding initiative, known as ZAG. 

The US$2 million annual fund is intended to support future innovation initiatives and global strategic partnerships.

According to the announcement, ZAG is designed to attract innovative problem solvers from around the world who can help address some of the key challenges the industry faces as it meets growing demand for kiwifruit. 

The company says it is “seeking forward-thinking visionaries, disruptors, dreamers, and darers to help it better innovate in sustainable agriculture, technology, automation, packaging, supply chain, logistics, and industry education.”

“We have a very clear focus on creating sustainable long-term value for our growers and ZAG will enable us to partner with other innovators to explore ways to do this, whilst also helping restore nature and moving us to a place where healthy eating is a well-established habit,” says Jiunn Shih, chief marketing, innovation and sustainability officer.

“We want to be the ZAG the food system needs. Our ambitions are greater than our capabilities, and with this in mind, we are inviting others to partner with us to help solve challenges that impact our fruit and the wellbeing of people, communities, and the environment.” 

ZAG will support projects that are focused on four core priorities for Zespri: (1) Initiatives that are good for kiwifruit by driving superior quality and lifting on orchard productivity; (2) Initiatives that are good for people by promoting wellbeing through kiwifruit consumption; (3) Initiatives that are good for the environment by protecting and enhancing nature; (4) And finally, initiatives that foster a thriving kiwifruit industry, benefitting growers and the local communities they are a
part of.

Shih says ZAG will be closely aligned with Zespri’s sustainability program. “While we’re making steady progress, such as a five percent reduction in our shipping emissions through improved charter vessel utilization, we know it’s new partners and solutions that will really unlock change.” 

“We’re inspired by our growers and supply chain partners who are prototyping actions as part of our carbon-neutral trial. And we’re pushing forward a partnership approach on shipping by asking other businesses and governments to come with us, so we can stimulate the demand that’s needed to accelerate the deployment of greener solutions.” 

Zespri is developing a science-aligned net-zero roadmap to 2050, which has reduced the environmental impact of its packaging with 88% now recyclable, reusable, or compostable, and last year released its Climate Change Adaptation Plan – Adapting to Thrive which outlines how the company is planning on adapting to the impacts of climate change to help growers. 

Zespri has also continued rolling out global nutrition programs designed to lift the consumption of fresh kiwifruit around the world and created 5 billion healthy eating occasions in the 2022-23 season – well on the way to its goal of lifting this to 6 billion by 2025. It has also supported 35 healthy lifestyle programs in over 12 countries since 2020.

“We’re really excited about the potential ZAG has to increase our efforts in this space. We look forward to working with agri- and food-tech innovators as well as other solution providers, to help Zespri and the kiwifruit industry achieve an even brighter future,” says Shih.