February forecast confirms 30% drop in New Zealand green kiwifruit supply
But NutriKiwi, one of the largest New Zealand exporters of green kiwifruit into the Australian market (controlling half the fruit available to be shipped there), say there is also positive news.
Current monitoring indicates fruit will have high dry matter which will result in great-tasting fruit for the Australian consumer and that the sizing also looks good. NutriKiwi expects an average 32 count this year.
NutriKiwi General Manager Michael Leach says there are two main reasons for this year’s crop reduction.
“New Zealand kiwifruit vines have produced very high yields for the past two years, so the commonly accepted view is that they’re having a ‘rest year’.
“Secondly, we’ve had a warm winter plus severe winds across the Bay of Plenty throughout November, December and early January which has created challenging growing conditions.
“These two factors have combined to deliver less green kiwifruit overall. But the quality of that fruit will be excellent for retailers and consumers alike who are discovering all the benefits this highly nutritious fruit has to offer.”
NutriKiwi exports ‘Class A’ fruit to Australia which only allows for 5% blemishes or shape defects. Many other New Zealand exporters send ‘Class 2’ fruit into this market which allows twice the amount of defects (10%) to be present.
“NutriKiwi is focused entirely on meeting and satisfying our individual customers’ needs. There is a significant cost involved in grading to this ‘Class A’ standard but it’s more than worth the effort to ensure our Australian partners have a competitive advantage versus other brands. It allows them to maximise their returns while ensuring minimal fruit loss.
NutriKiwi expects to begin shipping green kiwifruit to Australia from May through until November. Leach will speak directly to those wholesale and retail customers over the next month about NutriKiwi’s new season fruit supply to Australia in 2017.
For more information:
Michael Leach
NutriKiwi General Manager
Tel: +64 27 886 2299
michael@nutrikiwi.com
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