Organic Apples
DMP is New Zealand's largest exporter of fresh organic apples, pears, and squash. The company has been involved in the export of fresh organic crops for ten years and products are currently exported to Europe, North America, Canada and Asia.
DMP's owner, J M Bostock, is the largest organic pipfruit grower in New Zealand. In addition DMP works with a group of twenty organic pipfruit farmers in the Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, who are also dedicated to the principles and practices of sustainable organic production. The fertile plains and superb climate of the Hawkes Bay are ideally suited to quality organic production. The Hawkes Bay is characterised by high sunshine, moderate rainfall, and warm temperatures.
DMP NZ Ltd and the growers are certified by Bio-Gro NZ. Bio-Gro NZ is accredited by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM).
The key principles of organic production are to:
- Encourage and enhance biological cycles
- Maintain and improve long term soil structure and fertility
- Maintain genetic diversity
- Cycle organic matter and nutrients within the production system
- Avoid pollution
Our aim is to supply our customers worldwide with healthy, delicious, traditional tasting fruit which has been produced without any synthetic pesticides or artificial inputs, but produced with ways that improve our environment and coexist with nature.
Harvest Time
Harvest starts late February, with the Cox and NZ Beauty the first varieties to be picked. It is a wonderful time of the year to see clean crisp healthy apples and pears being carefully harvested into bins. The organic apples that DM Palmer export and their harvest windows are shown below:
- Cox - late February
- Royal Gala - late February to early March
- Braeburn - late March to early April
- Fuji - late March to early April
- Granny Smith - April
- Pink Lady - late April
At harvest the fruit is monitored for sweetness (brix), pressure, pest and disease incidence etc and only fruit that meets our customer's quality requirements is packed for export. Fruit not exported is sold onto a growing local market for organic produce or juiced.
Our first organic apples will arrive in Europe and the US in early April and we will continue to supply organic apples until September.
Nature has blessed us with a pristine environment & superb climate for first class organic fruit growing. Enjoy our crisp, juicy apples knowing that you are eating safe fruit whilst promoting the health of soils, crops and people, now and for future generations.
Meet The Growers
D M Palmer's suppliers are a committed group of pioneering organic growers who have lead the charge to develop successful organic pipfruit production in New Zealand. In partnership with Heidi they continue to work on innovative new growing practices.
Certificates
Below are the other certificates for DM Palmer NZ Ltd. All certificates are in PDF format. If you can't view PDF files please download Adobe Reader.
- DM Palmer NZ Limited Organic Exporter Certificate - 61kb
- Demeter Certificate - R1898 - 1,048kb
- Demeter Certificate - R1904 - 984kb
- Demeter Certificate - R2393 - 1,028kb
- Packhouse BRC Certificate - 387kb
Useful Links
- The New Zealand Biological Producers and Consumers Council Inc (Bio-Gro NZ)
http://www.bio-gro.co.nz/ - Organic Products Exporters of New Zealand Inc
http://www.organicsnewzealand.org.nz/ - Te Koha Orchard
http://www.tekoha.co.nz/
Getting in Touch
Please contact us if you require more information or wish to contact any of the growers.
Organic Supply Manager
Heidi Stiefel
Mob +64 21 336 791
Email hstiefel@dmpalmer.co.nz

