Zespri hits major milestone
Kiwifruit marketer Zespri says its kiwifruit has now reached more than 100 million households globally.
Kiwifruit is in a “perfect storm” this year with a larger harvest and fewer backpacker and international student seasonal workers, says New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc (NZKGI) chief executive Nikki Johnson.
Now at the peak kiwifruit harvest season, Bay of Plenty has about 1200 vacancies for pickers and packers.
Last week, half of this season’s total crop was yet to be harvested. At least 20% more trays will be picked and packed this season than the 120 million trays last year.
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has declared a labour shortage which runs until June 8. This allows overseas visitors – provided they already hold visitor visas -- to apply to vary the visa conditions to work in kiwifruit in Bay of Plenty.
“Attracting NZers to participate in the harvest is our first priority and over 60% of our seasonal workforce comes from NZ,” says Johnson.
“However, during the peak of harvest, other sources of workers, e.g. from the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme and backpackers, are required. The industry is in an exciting growth phase and to achieve this we must have sustainable seasonal labour.”
John son says the industry will have a “robust discussion” with the Government on getting more workers under the RSE scheme and other avenues to meet demand during the harvest.
NZKGI, analysing future labour demands, forecasts the industry will by 2030 contribute 135% more to Bay of Plenty’s GDP ($2.04 billion) and offer 14,329 new jobs. It now contributes $867 million to the region’s GDP and in 2015-16 employed 10,762 FTE workers.
MSD regional commissioner Mike Bryant says the causes of the region’s labour shortage include fewer international students, a bounce-back from the PSA virus impacting crop volumes and varieties, and a low unemployment rate.
“About one third of this year’s crop has been picked and packed but the industry’s entering the main packing period and more people are needed,” he says.
The SunGold variety (44% of the total crop) requires picking in a shorter timeframe and so greater reliance on fruit pickers at this time.
Between January and April this year, MSD placed 1000 people in work. Its ‘Work the Seasons’ job scheme and seasonal work vacancies are posted in the region’s WINZ local service centres. Bryant says MSD is discussing with industry leaders how to attract workers by improving employment practices.
MSD says the labour shortage declaration will be monitored and amended if conditions change.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.