2012 Kiwifruit Harvest Underway

19 March 2012

The 2012 kiwifruit harvest has begun in New Zealand, with the first shipment of ZESPRI GOLD kiwifruit due to depart for Japan in early April, and arriving in market mid-April.

The first kiwifruit orchards to be picked were in the Poverty Bay region, traditionally the earliest maturing of New Zealand’s kiwifruit growing regions.

ZESPRI’s General Manager Supply Chain, Sally Gardiner, said while the total export volume in 2012 would be down compared to last year, the final crop estimate had increased over earlier crop estimates for the 2012 season.

“2011 produced a record crop for the industry of around 115 million trays, an increase of 12 percent on the 2010 season. In 2012, we expect that due to Psa and seasonal factors the crop will be around 95 million trays, which is closer to the production of a more normal season,” Ms Gardiner said.

It is estimated this year the industry will harvest up to 20 million trays of gold (Hort16A) kiwifruit, around 70 million trays of green kiwifruit, around 3.5 million trays of organic kiwifruit (making ZESPRI the largest exporter of certified organic produce from New Zealand) and around 2 million trays of ZESPRI’s newly-commercialised varieties.

“What is really exciting is seeing new variety volumes increase. The kiwifruit industry has identified one of these varieties, known as Gold3, as the potential future foundation for our gold kiwifruit category in a Psa environment.

“This year we will have up to one million trays of Gold3 and it will allow us to continue to build the profile of this fruit with our customers around the world and also increase our understanding of the fruit’s performance throughout the ZESPRI supply chain,” Ms Gardiner said.

The Gold3 variety was commercialised in 2010 after a 10-year development programme to ensure it had the necessary qualities to be a commercially successful kiwifruit variety. In addition, Gold3 has shown good levels of Psa tolerance, which is now also a necessary quality for any successful commercial kiwifruit variety.

A decision will be made by ZESPRI on 21 March as to whether there will be a wide-scale release of Gold3 licences to kiwifruit growers this year to begin the industry’s recovery pathway from Psa.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers president Neil Trebilco, said the start of the 2012 harvest brings mixed feelings in the industry as it continues to deal with the impact of Psa and looks to re-build from the disease.

“It’s great to be starting picking. There is always a real anticipation after a season’s hard work in preparing the crop for harvest. But growers’ anticipation is tempered by the knowledge that some of their fellow growers will not harvest a crop, or only harvest a partial crop in 2012, because of Psa.

“For some growers this will be their first year without a crop, and for other growers they are facing the fact that once their vines have been picked they will likely have to be cut out and grafted across to a more Psa tolerant variety.

“There are a couple of tough years ahead for the industry as it builds its pathway out of Psa, but we are confident we will emerge from the current challenging times in stronger shape,” Mr Trebilco said.

About ZESPRI Group Ltd
With sales revenues of $1.5 billion, ZESPRI is the world’s most successful horticulture marketing company and the ZESPRI® Brand is recognised as the world leader in premium quality kiwifruit. Based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, we are 100 percent owned by current or past kiwifruit growers, and employ approximately 250 people in New Zealand, Asia, Europe and North America. On behalf of our 2,700 growers in New Zealand and 1,200 growers based elsewhere, ZESPRI manages kiwifruit innovation and supply management, distribution management and marketing of ZESPRI® GREEN, ZESPRI® GOLD and ZESPRI® ORGANIC Kiwifruit.

About New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI)
NZKGI was established in 1993 to represent New Zealand’s 3,500 kiwifruit growers and give growers their own voice in industry and government decision making and was formed following the downturn in the kiwifruit industry in the early 1990’s. NZKGI’s VISION is to be a strong grower organisation that demonstrates industry leadership in which growers and other industry participants actively participate. NZKGI’s MISSION is to represent, protect and enhance the commercial and political interests of New Zealand Kiwifruit growers. NZKGI’s Grower Forum consists of 25 regional and district representatives and 13 industry group representatives. Forum members are elected every three years by all kiwifruit growers via a postal ballot.

About ZESPRI Group Ltd
With sales revenues of $1.5 billion, ZESPRI is the world’s most successful horticulture marketing company and the ZESPRI® Brand is recognised as the world leader in premium quality kiwifruit. Based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, we are 100 percent owned by current or past kiwifruit growers, and employ approximately 250 people in New Zealand, Asia, Europe and North America. On behalf of our 2,700 growers in New Zealand and 1,200 growers based elsewhere, ZESPRI manages kiwifruit innovation and supply management, distribution management and marketing of ZESPRI® GREEN, ZESPRI® GOLD and ZESPRI® ORGANIC Kiwifruit.

About New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI)
NZKGI was established in 1993 to represent New Zealand’s 3,500 kiwifruit growers and give growers their own voice in industry and government decision making and was formed following the downturn in the kiwifruit industry in the early 1990’s. NZKGI’s VISION is to be a strong grower organisation that demonstrates industry leadership in which growers and other industry participants actively participate. NZKGI’s MISSION is to represent, protect and enhance the commercial and political interests of New Zealand Kiwifruit growers. NZKGI’s Grower Forum consists of 25 regional and district representatives and 13 industry group representatives. Forum members are elected every three years by all kiwifruit growers via a postal ballot.

ENDS

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