The kiwifruit harvest in New Zealand is a little later than expected with continuing wet and warm weather slowing brix development and maturity. The main harvest is expected to get underway in about another week.
"On the positive side, fruit quality looks to be excellent. In some ways the delay in harvest timing is useful as omricon is now very prevalent in the community and people are having to isolate," said Michael Franks - Seeka CEO. "New Zealand is extremely short of labour with no backpackers, and RSE’s numbers restricted below the required level. Unemployment in New Zealand is very low at around 3%. Right across New Zealand – labour is tight."
Seeka expects to pack between 48m and 50m trays of kiwifruit, of which around 29m will be SunGold for Seeka and its growers. Seeka expects to pack a small volume of Zespri Red. The fruit is understood to have a very small fruit size profile which is typical of red varieties.
In 2021 Seeka purchased Opotiki packing and Coolstorage Limited (OPAC), Orangewood Limited (Orangewood) and in early 2022 completed the purchase of NZ Fruits. These acquisitions increase Seeka’s kiwifruit production volume by around 30%. In addition Seeka purchased a cornerstone stake in agri-tech start up Fruitometry. This digital start up provides real time information on the state and production of the orchard and in anticipated to be a game changer in the future.
"In Australia, Seeka is well into the harvest. The majority of the Nashi pears are harvested. Early corellas and packhams are completed. Rico pears are next before tidying up the nashis and heading to the kiwifruit harvest. Fruit quality is excellent, however the kiwifruit volumes are expected to be a little lower due to labour issues last year at pruning time. Labour in Australia is also tight, however the business has innovated and the harvests are proceeding to plan. We expect to be in kiwi’s in harvest in the next week which is very early."
According to Michael the Australian business has performed excellently noting that the New Zealand team have largely been locked down in New Zealand with MIQ restrictions nearly making it impossible to get back into New Zealand." We expect to head to Australia once the New Zealand harvest progresses."
For more information:
Michael Franks
Seeka
Tel.: +64 021 356 516
michael.franks@seeka.co.nz
www.seeka.co.nz