About JP Exports
History
It was in 1995 that brothers Jeffery and Peter Turner established Fresh Direct Ltd to focus on the domestic produce business in the New Zealand market. Throughout the next decade various products were exported through Fresh Direct but in 2006 a separate company – JP Exports Ltd was established to provide clear and sound focus to this important international trade that is such a critical factor in New Zealand’s horticulture industry.
The Turner family’s interest and involvement in exports goes back as far as 1912 when Jeffery & Peter’s great-grandfather Edward Turner and their grandfather Harvey Turner started exporting apples to England and South America. Right throughout the 20th century Harvey, and then his son Jack, continued a keen involvement in exporting, pioneering many of New Zealand’s export produce and markets. Exports of strawberries, stonefruit, avocados, onions, squash, kiwifruit and flowers were all influenced and developed through their efforts, in fact it was Jack who coined the name ‘Kiwifruit’ when the fruit’s name was changed from being called Chinese Gooseberries in 1959.
Jeffery & Peter have also had years of experience on the export front, being involved throughout the 1970’s and 80’s in the development of a number of new markets for key products.
JP Exports Ltd is named so in honour of Jeffery & Peter’s father Jack – John Penman (JP) Turner.
What drives us
People. Our customers, our suppliers, our staff. They are what make us go in the right direction. Our business is about matching somebody’s needs (our customers) and somebody’s skills (our growers).
Honesty. We value and nurture open communication with our suppliers and buyers. We know it’s the only way to achieve mutually satisfying outcomes and long lasting trading relationships.
Excellence. A belief in striving for excellence in everything we do. We know the issues facing suppliers, importers, wholesalers and distributors because our business has operations in all of those areas.
A love affair...with New Zealand produce! We love, live and breathe produce. Together the key JP Exports Ltd personnel have more than 120 years combined experience in the produce industry, and we have a few stories to tell.