ENZA keeps up export volumes

By LIAM DANN

A drop in Turners and Growers' share of apple exports this year did not reflect any problems in the business, managing director Michael Dossor said yesterday.

The Herald understands that Turners and Growers-owned ENZA's market share has dropped dramatically this year - from about 40 per cent to about 33 per cent.

But Dossor said the company's exports had remained relatively stable at seven million cartons this year compared with 7.3 million last year.

The drop in percentage terms was largely due to an increase in the total New Zealand export volume from 17.9 million cartons last year to 21 million.

Dossor said much of the increase was non-premium grade apples. ENZA had not lost market share in the premium apple category.

He acknowledged ENZA faced tough competition from independent exporters which had gained market share.

"But to put it in perspective, we are seven times bigger than the next biggest player."