Thursday, 29 March 2018 09:16

Let the harvest begin!

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Kiwifruit harvesting is now underway.

Kiwifruit harvesting is underway and orchards have been cleared to be harvested from the top of the North Island to the top of the South Island.

Over 2,500 growers will be harvesting some 13,500 hectares of kiwifruit.

2018 is forecasted to be a good harvest with SunGold (Gold) and Hayward (Green) volumes for this season expected to be more than last year.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc chief executive Nikki Johnson says kiwifruit is New Zealand’s largest horticultural export and this season is projected to be no different.

“New Zealand growers can be proud to say they produce a world-leading fruit superior in quality and taste which will be marketed to over 50 countries”.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc. chairman Doug Brown says the forecasted increase in volume this year will help to fulfill the industry’s aim of sales growth.

“With a strong future where sales are expected to double by 2025 and some of the highest returns in the primary sector, the New Zealand kiwifruit industry has an exciting future ahead of it. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all growers a happy and safe harvest”.

The kiwifruit industry profits the regions where it is grown, for example, bringing around $1.8 billion (indirect impact) to the Bay of Plenty annually. A recent University of Waikato report has predicted that the kiwifruit industry will triple GDP contribution to over $6 billion to the economy by 2030.

More like this

Positive changes please kiwifruit growers

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporation (NZKGI) says there is a need to get a range of government policy settings right for the sector to expand.

Growers hail Hi-Cane ruling

Kiwifruit growers and orchardists are celebrating a decision by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) allowing them to continue using sprays like Hi-Cane which contains hydrogen cyanamide.

Watch and see for kiwifruit labour shortage

Wait and see is the watchword on the possibility of a labour shortage in the kiwifruit harvest which began last week in Gisborne and western Bay of Plenty.

Spotlight on kiwifruit helps with jobs

Publicity on a labour shortage in the kiwifruit industry last season had an interesting side effect: it attracted people to come and work in the industry, says New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers (NZKGI) chief executive Nikki Johnson.

Overseas workers needed

The kiwifruit industry has been struggling to find enough workers to keep pace with growing volumes, says New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers chief executive Nikki Johnson.

Featured

Plantain 'still a winner' in nitrogen loss battle

Now is not the time to stop incorporating plantain into dairy pasture systems to reduce nitrogen (N) loss, says Agricom Australasia brand manager Mark Brown.

People expos set to return

Building on the success of last year's events, the opportunity to attend People Expos is back for 2025, offering farmers the chance to be inspired and gain more tips and insights for their toolkits to support their people on farm.

SustaiN lands NZ registration

Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser SustaiN – which contains a urease inhibitor that reduces the amount of ammonia released to the air – has now been registered by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). It is the first fertiliser in New Zealand to achieve this status.

Precision N application test costs 'outweigh returns'

Precision application of nitrogen can improve yields, but the costs of testing currently outweigh improved returns, according to new research from Plant and Food Research, MPI and Ravensdown.