Andrew Darling

Managing Director

My passion for horticulture started in 1983 while working in a kiwifruit orchard and pack house. In 1989, I purchased an interest in a fruit packing facility in Katikati. Over the next 20 years, through partnership, merger and acquisition, I grew this operation to represent approx. 10% of Zespri’s national crop and 20% of the national avocado crop. I also became a significant grower of both these crops during this time. In 2016 I formed Darling Group which comprises an avocado export business (Just Avocados Ltd), a produce wholesale and logistics company in Brisbane (JH Leavy & Co.), various orchards, as well as an interest in a domestic produce marketer (Zeafruit).