Leading New Zealand post harvest operator EastPack will upgrade a number of its facilities ahead of the 2015 kiwifruit season, in a bid to accommodate an anticipated rise in production volume.
The company has allocated NZ$15m to the project, which will include the installation of a new nine-lane grader and additional cool storage space at its Washer Road facility in Te Puke.
EastPack will also increase the cold storage capacity at its Collins Lane facility in Te Puke by around 400,000 trays, while coolstore facilities at the firm’s Opotiki packhouse will also be upgraded.
EastPack chairman Ray Sharp said the investment was justified following the release of the company’s initial 2015 crop estimates, which predict total volume to be between 29m to 31m trays, up from 24.6m in 2014.
“Industry-wide, volume is expected to increase from 93m trays in 2014 to approximately 140m trays by 2018 as Sungold (G3) rapidly progresses to full production,” Sharp explained. “This will place considerable pressure on critical industry infrastructure, especially post harvest capacity.
“As well as significant capital investment in high quality plant and equipment, our expansions will provide employment opportunities for people within our communities, and increase career opportunities for some who are already part of the EastPack team.”
