Seeka Limited has started its 2025 kiwifruit harvest today (Monday) with the RubyRed™ kiwifruit variety.
Seeka was excited to get the season going, picking an orchard owned by Briant Brothers, in Gisborne yesterday (Sunday, 23 February). Seeka Client Relationship Manager, Rochelle Brown commented, "The fruit is looking outstanding this season and the team is excited to begin harvest." Briant Brothers Orchard is owned by Frank and Hamish Briant, a father and son team. "This is their first venture into RubyRed kiwifruit, so they were excited to be first off the block", said Brown.
In the Bay of Plenty, Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporated began picking today. Seeka has worked with the corporation for many years, providing post-harvest and orchard management services. Levi Ryland, Regional Orchard Manager for Seeka's Eastern region, including the Mangatawa Orchard said, "We are hoping 2025 will be one of our best seasons yet. This year's crop has had optimal growing conditions, and the fruit is looking fantastic".
Seeka Client Relationship Manager, Sheena Papuni said, "Our team at Seeka and Mangatawa management have worked hard to optimize the crop and it's great to see the results come to fruition again this year".
Scott Wikohika - CEO Mangatawa, Sheena Papuni - CRM Seeka, Vinnie Campbell GM Mangatawa.
Kerikeri-based orchard, Wiroa Horticulture, part of the Craigmore portfolio Seeka manages in Northland will be picked tomorrow (Tuesday, 25 February). Pieter Traas, Seeka Orchard Manager, said, "Myself and most of my senior staff have been at Wiroa since the start of the development project in mid-2019. It's been exciting to see the orchard grow and we've all grown in knowledge and experience with it."
Seeka's CEO, Michael Franks spoke on the harvest saying, "We expected orchards to clear earlier this season, following advice from our team of kiwifruit Technical Specialists. RubyRed across all regions is tracking ahead of last season in both fruit weight, size, and quality signaling another promising year. We are ready. We have capacity plans in place, our sites are serviced and ready to receive fruit with many having automation upgrades and we have the labor. Seeka is all set to deliver another year of great service to growers".
For further information please contact:
Rhian Ecclestone
Seeka
Tel: +64 27 253 4394
[email protected]