Representatives from Japan’s largest supermarket chain stores celebrated the arrival of New Zealand apples and upcoming JAZZ™ Apple Anniversary Day at a T&G Global event at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo this week.

JAZZ™ have proved so popular in Japan that they now have their own day which is celebrated in the country. June 28, known as ‘JAZZ™ Apple Anniversary Day’ in Japan, marks the day that the first container of New Zealand-grown JAZZ™ apples arrived in the country, eight years ago.

Since then, the popularity of premium JAZZ™ apples has grown significantly to the point it is now the number one premium imported apple in Japan.

Today, approximately 140,000 cartons of JAZZ™ are exported from New Zealand to Japan every year, with that figure expected to increase steadily as the best quality apples are grown and made available for this discerning market.

It is estimated 90 JAZZ™ apples are eaten every minute in Japan through the summer months of the import season.

T&G Global’s country manager Tatsuya Kakemoto says JAZZ™ apples have been well received by Japanese consumers as they enjoy the crisp, refreshing, sweet flavour.

This year, JAZZ™ apples will sold at around 2000 supermarkets across the main cities of Japan with in-store promotions being undertaken at key stores. Point of sale material features Japanese fans, phone grippers, wet tissues and stickers that will be given away to apple fans.

JAZZ™, a cross between Braeburn and Royal Gala, was developed in New Zealand, and is grown in the leafy orchards and sunny climates of Hawkes Bay and Nelson.

T&G Global is New Zealand’s largest exporter of apples and one of the county’s largest growers of apples.