McDonald's kiwifruit deal comes up gold

Mexican customers are being introduced to Gold kiwifruit.

Zespri has formed a world-first marketing partnership with fast-food giant McDonald's in Mexico to add the SunGold kiwifruit variety to every happy meal sold in the country in June.

The partnership is part of a major global promotional push by Zespri as it gears up to handle increasing volumes of SunGold - the Gold3 variety introduced to replace Psa-hit Hort 16 Gold (see story below).

Zespri general manager Carol Ward said Zespri was thrilled to partner with one of the world's largest and best-known food retailers to introduce consumers in Mexico to the fruit.

Zespri general manager Carol Ward is thrilled to partner with one of the world's largest food retailers in Mexico. Photo / Supplied

"We sell in 54 countries around the world and this is a world first for Zespri, which will result in sales of more than 1 million pieces of fruit," she said. "We're confident Mexican parents will appreciate this healthy addition to their children's diets."

Zespri expects the promotion - which runs from June 3 to July 3 - to stimulate retail sales.

Mexico was a sophisticated fruit market and consumers had responded positively to the sweet taste of SunGold, said Ms Ward.

Felix Ramirez, director of corporate communications for McDonald's Mexico, said the company's commitment to innovation and quality led it to search out the best products for its consumers.

"McDonald's in Mexico is searching for suppliers that are governed by and adopt our high standards of hygiene and quality," he said.

"For us, the fact we are incorporating products such as kiwi into our range of options is synonymous with evolution and our commitment to Mexican society."

One Zespri SunGold kiwifruit and spife (a combination spoon-knife) would be available in every McDonald's happy meal in more than 400 Mexican McDonald's restaurants throughout June. A SunGold advertisement will also play on McTV inMcDonald's stores during the promotion and Mexico McDonald's 8000 crew will receive training about the fruit.

"This marketing partnership is a big step toward establishing both our brand and Gold kiwifruit, which is largely unknown in this region, to families across Mexico. This is part of a broader strategy to introduce our new premium product and its powerful health benefits to new markets around the world."

Mexico

Mexico is a relatively new market for Zespri, which is forecasting sales volumes of about 750,000 trays in Mexico this season, up more than 40 per cent from last season.