Seeka Posts Record $62m Profit as Zespri Lifts 2026 Forecast
More signs of a booming kiwifruit sector.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.
Forecast per tray returns for Zespri Green, Organic Green and Organic SunGold Kiwifruit now exceed the top end of the August ranges.
At a per hectare level, record returns are now forecast for all fruit groups.
Jason Te Brake, chief executive of Zespri, says it has been a strong season with a record crop of 215 million trays from New Zealand delivered to markets around the world.
"The forecast is positive news for our growers and reflects the continued global demand for Zespri Kiwifruit, which has been particularly strong in Europe and North America, with forecast returns also benefiting from marketing spend efficiencies and favourable foreign exchange gains.
“With just a few weeks of fruit left to sell, our in-market teams are focused on finishing the New Zealand season strongly and maximising the value we return to growers.”
Zespri will release its final forecast for the 2025/26 season in February.
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
Almond hulls sourced from Australian orchards may have the potential to help New Zealand cows reduce emissions, boost milk yield and lower input costs.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Surprised, humbled and quite thrilled. That’s the reaction of James Allen, one of the founding partners and now chief executive of AgFirst, on being made a life member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.

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