Record Kiwifruit Harvest Brings Optimism, but Green Growers Face Profitability Challenges
Signs for the 2026-27 kiwifruit crop look good, but there are still some challenges for growers – especially those who produce green kiwifruit.
It says while SunGold returns were lower per tray, the average return per hectare was up 16% with orchard production increases.
The total fruit and service payment to growers increased by 6% to $1.47 billion.
Zespri’s global kiwifruit sales for the year were also up 6%, at $2.39b. Total revenue, which includes license income, was $2.51b.
Zespri chairman Peter McBride says Zespri delivered a good sales result for Green. The average per-tray return for Green was considerably stronger at $6.71 (2016-17: $4.36).
“This was supported by good quality and low rates of onshore fruit loss. The average per-hectare return for Green across the industry was $59,981, a new record for the category, and the result was achieved in spite of a 27% decline in average yields.”
McBride claims the result for SunGold gives confidence in Zespri’s long-term outlook.
“Zespri achieved a strong increase in returns at the same time as continued growth in volumes. Sales volume for the total Gold category rose by 9% to 52.1 million trays and the average return per hectare across the industry was up 16% at $114,345.”
The average return per tray was $10.06 (2016-17: $8.64).
The Organic Green return per tray was $8.93 (2016-17: $6.86), reflecting increasing demand in Europe and other major markets and an improved market mix. The return per hectare fell 4% to $52,375 (2016-17: $54,427), impacted by a 26% decrease in average yields.
Zespri sold just over 1.2m trays of Sweet Green. The average per-tray return was $5.61 (2016-17: $5.79) and the average per-hectare return was $38,937 (2016-17: $45,853).
The per tray result was affected by a smaller crop and early season quality issues.
The focus for the category remains on it being an early, high-taste offering to get the Green season off to a strong start.
McBride notes the uplift in value reflects strong consumer demand and excellent market performance.
“We sold a record volume of SunGold while growing returns at both per-tray and per-hectare levels,” he says.
“Supply of Green and Organic Green reduced considerably from the exceptionally high volume of the previous year, but very strong consumer demand more than offset the impact on per-hectare returns for Green and mitigated the impact on Organic Green per-hectare returns.
“The industry’s performance during the last season reinforces our confidence in our strategy and potential for strong and sustainable growth.”
