Zespri hits major milestone
Kiwifruit marketer Zespri says its kiwifruit has now reached more than 100 million households globally.
If you think you paid too much for kiwifruit last Christmas, you aren’t wrong!
According to Stats NZ, kiwifruit achieved its highest price ever in December 2019.
“Kiwifruit prices rose 32% in December to a weighted average price of $8.27/kg, an all-time high,” acting consumer prices manager James Griffin said.
This compares with $4.24 in December last year.
The price rises for kiwifruit contributed to a 2.1% increase in overall fruit and vegetable prices in December.
Seasonal fruit and vegetables were also up.
Potatoes, apples, and onions were the main contributors to the rise in fruit and vegetable prices between November and December.
The average prices/kg in December 2019 were:
• potatoes – up 18% to $2.13
• apples – up 16% to $3.80
• onions – up 8.9% to $2.38
Price rises for potatoes, apples, and onions are typical in December. These were partly offset by nectarine prices (down 24%) and lettuce prices (down 18%).
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.
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.
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.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
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