Blueberries tipped for bumper season
Blueberries are likely to have a bumper season as the warmer El Niño weather pattern arrives in New Zealand ahead of peak blueberry season in mid-January.
The blueberry industry is reassuring New Zealanders that the popular fruit will still be available this Christmas.
This is despite the season getting off to a rough start with October's hard frost (-4.8 degrees c).
Blueberries New Zealand executive member Jeremy Wylie says despite recent frosts wiping out entire orchards in the Waikato, there will be enough stock for the Christmas holiday season.
"We know the demand for Blueberries is high, as data over the last few years has shown massive buyer growth for our fruit," Wylie explains.
"It is one of our most challenging years, but we are very keen to ensure New Zealanders get to enjoy our healthy, delicious fruit this year."
He says there's been a massive upswing in consumption for blueberries - particularly since the pandemic, as people are looking for the healthiest fruit and vegetable available.
"Blueberries are the perfect little snack, full of dietary fibre, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and vital antioxidants," Wylie says.
The blueberry season is traditionally from October to April.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?