"Colouring is very good this year from New Zealand," explains Patrick Meikle from apple exporter Golden Bay. "All varieties have great eating quality and brix is very good too. This is not just due to the excellent weather and growing conditions in our region; we have also developed some new techniques in the orchard to help with the flavour development.
Although there was some heavy rain and flooding in parts of New Zealand as the end of tropical storm Debbie passed over the islands, no damage was done to the apple crop, the only hindrance was that harvesting had to stop for a couple of days.
Patrick is quite positive about the market on which the New Zealand crop will arrive, "It is looking good for the Royal Gala, its a bit too early to predict how it will be for the other varieties, but early indications are good.
There are other Southern Hemisphere countries competing for apple sales at this time of the year, but according to Patrick, New Zealand is well known for growing the highest quality apples which sets it apart from the competition. All of the fruit is supplied into programs and most of the fruit from Golden Bay goes directly to the retailers."
The exchange rate between the pound and the NZ dollar is a little better now than it was, but still around 20% lower than last year, meaning higher prices, but the whole Southern Hemisphere faces the same situation.
For more information:
Patrick Meikle
Golden Bay Fruit
patrick@goldenbayfruit.com