NZ Kiwifruit Growers Set for Higher Returns Despite Risks
Despite the ongoing bad news on the geopolitical front, New Zealand kiwifruit growers may be in for a good payout.
ZESPRI SAYS its forecast per hectare returns have broken $50,000 for the first time, predicting orchard gate returns per hectare of $51,047.
This compares to $42, 659 for the 2013 season.
The October forecast Green return per tray has increased to $5.71 from $5.34 forecast in August, supported by price increases in Europe.
The October forecast for Gold is $9.57 per tray, up from an August forecast of $9.36; Organic Green $6.81, up from $6.35; and Green14 $6.98, up from $6.93.
The total fruit and service payment, across all pools and excluding the loyalty premium, is forecast at $882.46 million, up from $856.2 million in the August 2014 forecast.
The Zespri net profit is forecast to be $22 million to $27 million including recognising $6.3m of Gold licence revenue from prior seasons not yet received.
Seeka chief executive Michael Franks says while it's still early days in terms of the kiwifruit harvest, things are looking pretty good.
Major New Zealand fresh produce grower is tapping AI to manage weeds on one of its farms.
With arable farmers heading into the busy planting season, increasing fuel and fertiliser prices, driven by the Iranian conflict, are a daily and ongoing concern.
OPINION: After two long years of hardship, things are looking up for New Zealand red meat farmers.
A casualty of the storm that hit the Bay of Plenty recently was the cancelation of a field day at a leading Māori kiwifruit orchard at Te Puke.
Some arable farmers are getting out of arable and converting to dairy in the faced of soaring fuel and fertiliser prices on top of a very poor growing season.

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