Zespri global sales top $5 billion for 2024–25 season amid strong demand
Zespri says global sales for the 2024-25 season topped $5 billion on the back of strong demand and market returns.
There are encouraging signs and hopes that this season's kiwifruit crop will be a good one.
NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) chief executive Colin Bond says it's still early days, with bud burst starting, but things are looking positive without being exceptional.
"But again, remember, it's early days yet," he told Hort News.
Bond says Hawke's Bay was the kiwifruit area most impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, and people need to appreciate how long it's going to take for some growers in that region to get back on their feet.
He says in addition to the damage caused by silt, there remains concerns about vine roots saturated by the heavy rain. He reckons it'll be a couple of months - maybe longer - before growers know the health status of their vines. "It's still a bit of an open question on how the plants will survive in the coming months."
Bond says it may take years for some growers to fully recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and during that time they will need support. He says it is a marathon and not a spring and NZKGI will be closely monitoring badly affected growers to ensure they are properly supported throughout their long recovery.
He is worried there is a risk their plight will disappear from the notice of the media and adds that NZKGI will do all it can to make the public aware of the plight of some people.
"NZKGI will be watching the situation and delivering to the needs of affected growers or bringing in other experts to talk to them," Bond adds.
He says most growers are cautiously optimistic about the coming season and the spring is looking positive.
There is also hope that El Nino will have a positive impact on the growing season. Bond believes the issue will be having the right access to water to balance any drought impact.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
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