Zespri’s crop of Northern Hemisphere kiwifruit has grown in value by 28 percent in a year. Total sales of fruit from Italy, France, Greece, Japan and Korea in the 2020/2021 season topped NZ$472 million – up from NZ$369 million the previous year.
Zespri’s Chief Global Supply Officer Alastair Hulbert says the crop is now all sold, with significant increases in both the green and gold volumes. Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit volumes increased by almost 3 million trays, or 27 percent, and Zespri Green Kiwifruit by almost 2 million trays, or 23 percent.
All Zespri branded fruit must meet the same stringent quality standards - regardless of origin. This provides consistently premium quality to consumers around the world.
“Northern Hemisphere fruit is key to Zespri’s 12-month global supply strategy,” Mr Hulbert says. “We aim to have Zespri Kiwifruit in the market for 12 months of the year, maximising value of the brand and meeting consumer demand, and we are well on our way to achieving that goal.”
Procurement of Green Kiwifruit increased in the 2020/2021 season, from 8.1 million trays to 10 million trays. Fruit from Greece made a significant contribution, adding to the large volumes procured through Zespri’s long-term relationships with Italian growers. Production of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit grew across Europe and Asia as new plantings came into production.
In Japan, production increased in volume for the first time since 2014. This was attributable to Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit overtaking Hort16a as the dominant variety. Hort16a has been largely phased out around the world as it is vulnerable to the vine-killing disease Psa.
Mr Hulbert says, in Korea, increased yields and packouts will combine with new plantings to double Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit sales over the next three years.
Trials continue in Greece and the USA to determine whether these regions can further supplement the Northern Hemisphere supply of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit and to mitigate production risks such as pests, disease, and climate events.
“As we bridge the gap between demand and supply, we expect Zespri Global Supply to continue to grow the contribution it makes to Zespri’s corporate profit, acknowledging short term headwinds are expected related to Italian frost impacted volumes and foreign exchange rates,” Mr Hulbert says.
Zespri’s continued investment in research and technical innovation ensures Northern Hemisphere growers are equipped with the latest growing advice. Zespri is a proud leader in the Kiwi Vine Decline Syndrome taskforce alongside the Italian industry, while also investing in research around pests such as the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. This work benefits growers in all supply countries, whether these pests have arrived or not.
For more information:
Lauren Wallis
Zespri
Tel: +64 21 064 1808
Email: [email protected]
www.zespri.com
