Tuesday, 24 October 2017 13:55

Kiwifruit’s bright outlook

Written by Peter Burke

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Zespri chairman Peter McBride.

There's gold for New Zealand growers in Zespri’s SunGold kiwifruit.

Overseas demand is high for the new Psa-free variety and prices continue to rise.

As a result, Zespri chairman Peter McBride is forecasting a net profit after tax of $96 million to $101m for the year ended March 31, 2018. Profit last year was $73.7m.

This upsurge in demand and price is reflected in Zespri’s updated market forecast for October, which again shows prices for all classes of kiwifruit are up on the August forecast. SunGold is fetching $9.73/tray versus $9.28 in August, while Green14 is $5.39/tray vs $5.25 in August. Other classes of kiwifruit are also up in value.

Zespri publishes two-monthly ‘indicative’ price updates (these do not reflect prices payable to individual growers).

Featured

Gongs for best field days site

Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.

Feed help supplements Canterbury farmers meet protein goals

Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.

South Island rural property market gains momentum amid strong milk price outlook

Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.

Holstein Friesian NZ: Young breeders begin development journey

The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.

NZ feed producers urged to boost staff training for quality and efficiency

New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.

Editorial: Taming Trump

OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.

National

Fert co-op extends fixed price offer

Ballance Agri-Nutrients is expanding its fixed price offer to help customers manage input costs with greater certainty over the coming…

Govt mandates wool carpets, boosting farmers and manufacturers

Farmers and wool carpet manufacturers are welcoming a Government decision to use wool fibre products in the construction and refurbishment…

Will India ink a free trade agreement with NZ?

Beef+Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has welcomed the New Zealand Government's announcement that comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations have formally…