In an effort to decrease the carbon footprint associated with importing one of New Zealand's most consumed fruits, Kotare Subtropicals, a wholesale nursery located in Maungatapere, is venturing into banana cultivation. New Zealand's reliance on imported bananas is significant, with over 81,000 tons brought into the country in 2022, accounting for a substantial portion of its fresh produce imports.
Kotare Subtropicals, under the guidance of orchard manager Geoff Mansell, is diversifying its crop selection to include bananas, alongside its existing feijoa and fig plantations. The nursery is experimenting with Honduran hybrid banana varieties such as Goldfinger, Mona Lisa, Bonanza, and High Noon, cultivated in both outdoor and indoor settings.
Mansell expressed the nursery's intention to enhance land utilization through this initiative, aiming to bolster the local production of tropical and sub-tropical fruits. This move not only seeks to provide a sustainable alternative to imported bananas but also aims to stimulate local economies by generating employment and expanding the variety of produce available to consumers.
Source: rnz.co.nz