Our Process
As a benefit to our business we have ownership in orchards, packhouse, cool storage and marketing – which allows us to oversee quality control for each and every apple from our orchard to your hands. Our Apple Quality (AQ) system is generations in the making, and represents the sum total of over 100 years of apple growing and distribution knowledge.
It’s our innovative approach to apple growing that has led to breakthrough developments in packing, cool-storage, controlled atmosphere facilities, logistics, marketing and new variety development.
Perfect growing conditions.
Nelson has been a centre for apple growing since 1913. It has a unique Maritime microclimate, surrounded by hills and sheltered from adverse weather by mountains three sides, and the sea on the fourth. This creates a warming influence in winter and a cooling one in summer. Combine the high sunlight hours and cool nights and you have the perfect environment for producing crisp, juicy, flavoursome fruit.
Pioneering varieties and planting.
Our hard earned worldwide reputation is of critical importance to Luv’ya. We lead the NZ industry in pioneering new rootstocks and varieties. We were among the first group to plant Manchurian crabapples as pollinators and to commercially use dwarf rootstocks.
Architecturally designed orchards.
Our orchards are designed with flavour in mind. The right rootstock, nutrition, minerals and trace elements are calculated. Trees are spaced and shaped according to maximum light interception to produce apples with better flavour and texture. We employ expert consultants and hold regular group discussions among Luv’ya growers, in order to compare our orchard plans and performances.
Harvesting for quality.
Because 90% of eating quality is determined at the orchard, we use scientific data, experience and consultant advice to determine the absolute perfect picking time. Rather than stripping a tree of all its fruit, each apple is picked on its merit on any given day. Multi picking carries an enormous cost to us, but the end result is fruit with consistent maturity at market.
Customer driven production plan.
Our fruit is categorised on the orchard six months before we harvest and tracked all the way to market. Customers supply their specifications and we identify fruit suitable for them at the orchard where it is tagged and grown, harvested and placed into inventory with that customer in mind. There is the added assurance of the same group of orchards supplying a customer from one year to the next.
People powered.
Our brilliant packhouse team are crucial in caring for our high value fruit once harvested. Luv’ya apples are lovingly washed, selected, packed and distributed by up to 100 staff from around the world during high season. Our diverse team includes locals and internationals all of whom ensure our fruit sets off on it’s journey in the best possible condition.
Cool fruit.
We produce an enormous amount of the highest quality fruit. Our extensive cool storage facilities allow us to keep apples in pristine condition so our customers in New Zealand and around the world can enjoy their favourites all year round.
Fruit focused logistics.
The needs of the fruit drive the logistics chain, not the reverse. The aim is to deliver a piece of fruit as good as the day it was harvested. Our fruit is shipped direct to our customers from our cool stores. Feedback from each market allows us to refine our process to ensure that the best quality fruit is delivered to customers.
Customer philosophy that fits.
Our goal is not to be the biggest, but to develop a reputation for quality second to none. Customers of Luv’ya fruit share the same values as us. We want to establish long-term relationships with buyers and retailers who identify quality as their driver and their competitive advantage.