Mark Ericksen Named World Fruit Grower
of the Year
AMSTERDAM,
NETHERLANDS, Mounting an international
stage, Mark Ericksen accepted the inaugural
“World Fruit Grower of the Year"
award on behalf of the Waima Fruit Company
Ltd. of Hawke?s Bay, New Zealand. The
Oscar-style, black tie gala took place
at the Okura Hotel Nov. 3.
“I was overwhelmed when my name
was announced," said Mark Ericksen,
who grows apples for ENZA, along with
ZESPRI, GREEN and GOLD Kiwifruit that
are marketed by The Oppenheimer Group
of Vancouver, B.C. “It was a well
organized, lavish event, and I was very
excited to win."
The first-ever World Grower Awards were
presented by leading industry journals
World Grower, and the Grower, in partnership
with International Horti Fair and with
primary sponsor, Sainsbury's. This will
be an annual event going forward, providing
growers with a platform to demonstrate
excellence in the international horticultural
community.
“The World Grower Awards provide
excellent networking opportunities,"
Ericksen said. “And I'm sure they
will keep getting bigger and better each
year, as profile increases."
Judged by a panel of four industry experts
from China, the Netherlands, Columbia
and the UK, the World Grower Awards were
presented in nine categories: vegetables,
fruits, ornamentals, salads, organics,
marketing / business expertise, product
of the year, outstanding achievement,
and logistics / supply chain. UK vegetable
grower South England Farms was overall
World Grower of the Year. Criteria took
into account production methods, use of
technology and research, improvements
made over the past year, clarity of business
plan, quality control and traceability
practices, and marketing efforts.
“The Waima Fruit Company is known
for excellence in employing contemporary
production methods with a strong focus
on environmental concerns," said
David Nelley, Oppenheimer's pipfruit category
director. “A proactive orchard management
system ensures crops are maximized, while
fruit is grown in a safe and responsible
manner. There's even a stream stocked
with trout running though the orchard."
Waima was the first primary producer in
New Zealand to receive EUREPGAP® food
safety accreditation, and is actively
cultivating innovative varieties “including
two of ENZA's newest apple Jazz".
Ericksen also serves as a technical consultant
to ENZA for new variety development.
“Jazz" is such an amazing apple
cultivar," Ericksen said. “The
eating characteristics are second-to-none
with the crunch, appearance and aroma
all as strong attributes that make the
apple truly world class" It has the
potential to be the next number one seller"
not only because of its eating quality,
but also because of the brand awareness
that ENZA is building around the globe
and with Oppenheimer in North America."
The Waima Fruit Company Ltd. is a 100-acre
apple and kiwifruit operation, nestled
in the foothills of the Heretaunga Plains
in Hawke's Bay, on the East Coast of New
Zealand's North Island. Waima is a Maori
name, meaning “clear white water,"
fitting for the verdant, rolling lands,
rimmed by fresh water streams.
The Ericksen family bought Waima in 1922,
planting kiwifruit vines in 1979 and adding
apple orchards in 1984. Mark Ericksen
and his father Peter currently grow Royal
Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, Pacific Rose, Pacific
Queen, and Jazz apples for ENZA, along
with ZESPRI, GREEN and GOLD Kiwifruit.
The lands have been passed down for four
generations.
The grower has won a number of past accolades,
including: Hawke's Bay Rural Environmental
Award, Hawke's Bay Top Fruit Grower of
the Year, and Kiwifruit Grower of the
Year winning both ZESPRI, GREEN and GOLD
Kiwifruit awards for four years running.
For more information about the World Grower
Awards, visit:
www.worldgrower.com/awards
Photos are available upon request.
Related Web sites: www.jazzapple.com
| www.oppyproduce.comTh
