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Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson.
Zespri's net profit — after tax — for 2017-18 increased by 38% to $101.8 million.
It says the result was primarily driven by revenues from the release of 400ha of SunGold licence in 2017, as part of Zespri’s continuing programme to fulfil consumer demand.
The total dividend returned to shareholders was 76 cents per share, versus 25c/share in the previous season. The payout included an additional interim dividend of 50c/share to distribute most of the funds generated through the 2017 SunGold licence round.
Sales volumes through the non-New Zealand supply segment, that enables Zespri to supply consumers with kiwifruit 12 months of the year, fell by 8%.
Supply of Green was reduced because of a damaging frost in Italy. However, SunGold sales in Italy increased to offset the fall, with the Zespri Global Supply business recording total sales revenue of $264m, up from $217m in 2016-17.
Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson says they anticipate record production of NZ and non-NZ kiwifruit this year driven by increasing supply of SunGold and a recovery in supply of Green.
“Our challenge is to continue to lift our performance by staying focused on improving the execution of our brand-led, consumer-focused strategy, supported by excellence in marketing and strong, connected partnerships with growers, suppliers, distributors and retail partners.”
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.
European growers are playing a key role in ensuring Kiwifruit marketer Zespri has year-round supply of high-quality fruit for consumers.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
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