According to Kiwifruit Growers Association (NZKGI) chief executive Colin Bond, the recent fruit picking season in New Zealand was notably tranquil, with minimal adverse weather disruptions. He remarked on the absence of major weather events compared to prior years, attributing this partially to the early season start, which allowed for significant fruit picking before the arrival of rain.
Bond reported that growers faced some rain spells but experienced limited stress, largely due to the timely harvest. "So overall we can celebrate the good seasons when they happen, and certainly from a harvest perspective it is going relatively smoothly, and growers are delighted with the quality of the fruit and the size of their yields," he told Hort News. He rated the season as an eight out of ten.
Labour challenges, which impacted earlier seasons, appear to have eased. The harvesting process follows a predictable sequence, starting with the red variety, followed by green, and then gold. This consistency, alongside enhanced post-harvest automation, has alleviated some labour demands. "Thankfully, we are in a much better labour situation than we were in previous seasons," Bond commented.
However, challenges remain, particularly for growers in Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti still recuperating from Cyclone Gabrielle and ongoing vine health issues. "A lot of those growers are not back to optimum production, but the majority will be returning to profitability, which is important," Bond noted.
Logistical operations are critical in transporting the kiwifruit from orchards to post-harvest facilities and ports. Although traffic congestion occasionally impacts transport efficiency, Bond indicated that the supply chain remains operational. Concerns about dependence on the Port of Tauranga persist, yet it has maintained a high operational level this season.
Bond acknowledged Zespri's role in effectively marketing the fruit. Their longstanding shipping contracts and use of charter vessels are beneficial. He emphasized that despite market challenges and macroeconomic pressures, Zespri continues to penetrate key markets successfully. He noted, "This is a validation of the long-term trend that we have this fantastic product that is healthy, and that is where the consumer trend is heading in terms of what they eat."
Source: HortNews
