The persimmon harvest is underway at First Fresh, New Zealand. The early Fuyu variety was picked this week, around a week earlier than in the last three years. The first fruit goes to the increasingly important New Zealand domestic market.
"Awareness of the availability, benefits, and great taste of the Gisborne-grown persimmons is improving year on year with New Zealand consumers," said Grant Walsh from First Fresh. "We will start the harvest of the main season crop for export and continue domestic supply in the last week of April."
"Gisborne has had a vastly improved growing season, which has been welcomed by all in the horticultural industry. This follows three difficult growing seasons that the region has experienced. An excellent spring and early summer, with a decent main summer with good temperatures and regular rainfall, have produced a crop that we hope matures well and provides all customers with excellent fruit. We are happy to say we have returned to what is a normal season. Fruit quality is looking excellent with little to no serious skin blemishes. There is also less pest incidence appearing currently, which is great. Size looks to be larger than the last couple of years, which is welcomed."
Grant expects the export markets to have good demand, as there is already interest from all markets. First Fresh's biggest export market is Australia, followed by Thailand, Vietnam, Canada, Mainland China, and then the rest of Southeast Asia.
"The key is the 2nd half of the season demand. Exchange rates are favourable this year compared to the last couple of years."
First Fresh uses both sea and air freight for export. According to Grant, rates are stable and comparable to last year, so he does not foresee any issues this season.
For more information:
Grant Walsh
First Fresh
Tel: +64 6 869 2131
[email protected]
www.firstfresh.co.nz