Record Kiwifruit Crop 2025-26: Zespri Forecasts Highest Grower Returns
Good news for kiwifruit growers - a record crop with forecast per hectare returns at record levels for all fruit categories for the 2025-26 season.
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.
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The winners of the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards were announced at the annual awards dinner held at Copthorne Solway Park in Masterton on Thursday evening.
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This March, the potato industry is proudly celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March alongside the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising the vital role women play across every part of the sector — from paddocks and packhouses to research, leadership, and innovation.
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Recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, and Canterbury have been declared a medium-scale adverse event.

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