The number of new orchards being constructed in the Bay of Plenty indicates high confidence in the kiwifruit industry. Southern Cross Horticulture specialises in establishing new orchards and expects to sell around 60,000 kiwifruit plants for orchard establishment in 2016 – a significant increase on the previous year.
The company's joint managing director Andrew Dunstan said, “Our orchard construction and establishment teams currently have a pipeline of over 20 ha of new construction or establishment projects in the Bay of Plenty this year which is extraordinary.”
Southern Cross Horticulture has just finished constructing a new 5ha kiwifruit orchard on Matakana Island on behalf of a local Maori trust.
“It's the first new orchard over there in decades and it's the beginning of a plan to kick-start Maori Trust development by investing in high-value horticulture.”
Andrew says strong orchard gate returns for both gold and green kiwifruit has also convinced many people to expand their existing orchards.
“There's a high level of confidence in the future of kiwifruit... This is underpinned by strong confidence in Zespri's ability to successfully deliver strong returns to growers despite significant volume growth over past and future seasons.”
Source: sunlive.co.nz
