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Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson
Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson says this is an exciting time for the kiwifruit industry.
Zespri is working with the industry to facilitate good quality growth.
With 14,000ha of kiwifruit, the industry – right across the supply chain – must collaborate more than ever if it is to match supply to demand.
“We are licensing our Sungold out at 700ha a year, in Bay of Plenty and the regions,” Mathieson says.
“We are seeing great growth for Sungold up north in Whangarei and Kerikeri and further down the East Coast – as well in Gisborne, Napier and even in Nelson.
“Sungold grows better than Zespri green in more locations, which means we are getting a wider regional spread.”
However, the big challenge facing the kiwifruit industry is finding enough quality labour. A survey by the University of Waikato forecast that, based on the growth of the industry, 29,000 more people would be required.
Mathieson says encouraging people to make a career in the industry is a challenge and the industry is looking for support from the Government and others to get the staff needed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
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.
European growers are playing a key role in ensuring Kiwifruit marketer Zespri has year-round supply of high-quality fruit for consumers.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
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