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.
For one Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower, the 2014 season saw just a single tray of fruit loss thanks to the exceptional packing and management of local operator, DMS.
John Cook's Te Puke orchards produce a total of 82,000 trays of Hayward and G14, with all but one tray making it to export last season, his inaugural season packing with DMS.
"It's a dream result and I'm really impressed, " says Cook.
"In the past my fruit loss has been well below the industry average, but last season saw one tray total fruit loss, with a good volume of fruit carried to the very end of the storage programme. It takes good quality fruit and exceptional inventory management to end up with a result like that."
Cook is expecting similar volumes in the coming season, along with close to 30,000 trays of G3 as the first crop off three hectares that have been non-producing for the past four years during the Psa recovery.
Having been in the kiwifruit industry for the past 35 years, Cook has been through its many ups and downs and believes that having survived the Psa outbreak the biggest issue currently facing the industry is the need to future proof. That includes human resourcing at an orchard and post-harvest level, as well as at industry leadership level.
"The sector has shown incredible resilience and the recent challenges have united the industry in a way which will become a hallmark of its resurrection," he says.
According to Cook, innovation will play a huge role in driving the industry forward and for him DMS fits that role.
Fresh produce grower and exporter T&G Global has overturned last year’s dismal performance by reporting a half year net profit of $1.7 million.
One of New Zealand’s largest fertiliser plants could be forced to shut down for four months as uncertainty looms over gas supply.
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is consulting on a proposal to ban weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA).
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
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