As with many growers New Zealand's First Fresh are preparing for a challenging season.
"Our persimmon crop is looking great at the moment," said Grant Welsh, Sales & Marketing Manager. "This is a massive credit to our growers in Gisborne who have had to deal with the 2 major weather events thrown at them through the later part of the summer. We had triple the usual rainfall in March affecting the whole of the Tairawhiti region."
The fruit is bigger in size and cleaner than last season. There has been good heat units, less wind and more regular rainfall through the main summer growing season which has contributed to the size and cleanliness of the fruit.
"Our crop volume will be slightly up on last year's levels at the current forecast view. We of course need suitable harvest conditions throughout to achieve this but to know the fruit is there is a positive."
First Fresh started picking 10 days ago and have been supplying the New Zealand domestic market which is normal for any season and will begin exports in early May as the main crop comes on.
"We are on target and plan to start packing for export next week. There is good demand from all markets and we know our First brand is highly regarded across all of them. The First brand is a long established brand for persimmons in the market and represents the Gisborne region and our local growers very well."
Grant said that the challenge this year, as it was last year will be export logistics. Sea freight rates are up, container space and gear availability all are a challenge. They have their allocated space secured so need the vessels to sail on time.
"In 2021 we tripled our airfreight volume and I don’t see it changing this year. There are more planes flying and space looks ok at the moment. Airfreight prices are holding at last years levels so that is workable for us.
"Our largest market is Australia, then we have good market spread across Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore and the rest of South East Asia. North America features for us also. Our partners in all the markets are leaders in their territories representing the First brand really well. We are currently the only exporter to mainland China and the plan is to increase volume there this year by 50% from last year. We of course are watching closely what's happening with the lockdowns there and are keeping close to our partners and friends in that market."
For more information:
Grant Welsh
First Fresh
Tel: +64 6 869 2131
[email protected]
www.firstfresh.co.nz