40 | T T Kim Newth Quality fruit grown for NZ market Echodale Orchard is best known for its delectable pears, which make up around 80% of total production. Echodale Orchard REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Basking in high sunshine hours, Nelson/ Tasman enjoys favourable growing conditions. Around 30% of New Zealand’s apple and pear crop is produced in this bountiful region. With deep roots in the region, Echodale Orchard is renowned for its high-quality apples and pears distributed exclusively into the New Zealand market. New Zealand owned, this fifth-generation family business has been operating in the Nelson region since 1915 and is dedicated to delivering premium quality all the way from harvest through to packing, storage and delivery with only the best fruit selected and distributed. Fruit from the orchard is marketed under the brands Nelson Fresh, Champion and Kiwi Crisp, and sold into supermarkets nationwide. Echodale Orchard is spread over several blocks on the Waimea Plains as well as a 23-hectare block in the Motueka Valley. The 50-hectare operation grows eight different varieties of both pears and apples, along with an early fruiting nectarine. Echodale Orchard is best known for its delectable pears, which make up around 80% of total production. Stars of the annual pear harvest include the long-necked, sweetly spicy Beurre Bosc, the sweet and juicy perfumed pear Packham’s Triumph, and the juicy sweet frontrunner Taylor’s Gold. “There is nothing nicer than a sun-ripened pear picked fresh off the tree,” says Justin Wehner, orchard operations manager at Echodale. “But even after the fruit comes off the tree, we safeguard its quality in our controlled atmosphere cool stores so that New Zealanders can enjoy our fruit year round. “My number-one tip for pear lovers is don’t put them in the fridge after you buy them. “Just let them sit for a few days or more to let them ripen up again – then you’ll get a really tasty, juicy pear.” In the orchard, there is a real focus on innovation with newer blocks being set up for automation in the future and for easy use of labour through 2D block planting, (effectively creating walls of fruit that can be more easily harvested). “We also use platforms that get people off ladders and make the work a lot easier, safer and more efficient.” Justin started out as a contract picker for Echodale back in 2016 after a stint at vet • Research and testing, followed by a comprehensive product development process • Environmentally friendly • Sustainable and fully recyclable • Made from high-strength galvanised carbon steel which is coated with a thick layer of zinc, ensuring high durability against corrosion • Able to be retrofitted to existing orchards • Cost-competitive – attachments can be applied for crop protection • Simple installation with easy to attach wire positions • Lightwaeight and safe • Guarantee against any material or manufacturing fault • A er-sales support from your ECO V® team THE ECO VP ADVANTAGE CONTACT US TODAY! FREEPHONE (NZ ONLY) 0508 NZTUBE – 04 576 1800 EMAIL sales@ecotrellis.co.nz ECO V & VP ecov.co.nz Email: alastair@cooltranz.co.nz Phone: 021 826 384 Web: www.CoolTranz.co.nz Proud to support Echodale We specialise in the temperature controlled transportation of produce and food grade products around New Zealand. PROVIDING SERVICE & CARE RGLTRANSPORT General Cartage | Transporter Hire | Truck & Driver Hire | Tipper Hire Proudly Supporting Echodale John Zwart 0274 363 617 ranzau.gardens@gmail.com
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