Franklin eggs set to soar away
Pukekohe is set to become an egg exporting hub, after FRENZ (New Zealand Free Range Egg Company) revealed its new egg grader on Friday.
The new machine checks, sanitises, sorts and packages free range eggs, and can fill a 20-foot container every two-and-a-half hours.
FRENZ director Rob Darby said the new machine would expand export potential to Asian countries.
‘‘In New Zealand we have an amazing opportunity to provide something the rest of the world can’t do all year round.
‘‘Although Asia is the world’s largest egg producer worldwide, the demand for high quality, freerange and organic eggs in Asian countries is increasing and this new machine gives us the ability to meet export demands and expand into new markets.’’
He added there would be benefits for the community as well, since a handful of FRENZ egg farms are based in Franklin.
‘‘There’s benefits [to the community] because FRENZ don’t own any farms, they are owned by mum and dad farmers in the community.
‘‘We can put eggs on the table in Macau and Hong Kong and I think that’s pretty special.’’
Darby said the machine’s ability to wash, dry and UV santise eggs, and then coat them with a natural oil to prevent bacteria entering the eggs was a huge bonus.
‘‘Our sanitisation methods give our eggs a longer shelf life of up to 60 days, versus the usual 35, which makes it more viable for FRENZ eggs to be shipped overseas.’’
He also added they were safer to handle while cooking, because bacteria left on an un-sanitised egg has the potential to be as harmful as raw chicken.
The new egg grader has other features that will help to secure international orders.
The features include the ability to sort eggs based on shell colour and to digitally print on eggs in a multitude of languages, including Mandarin.
‘‘This is an exciting next step for the team here at FRENZ.
‘‘Chickens might not traditionally migrate over vast distances, but our new technology will allow New Zealand’s best quality freerange and organic eggs to make it overseas.’’