New Zealand single-desk kiwifruit marketer Zespri has forecast improved grower returns for all categories for the 2013/14 season, according to Sunlive.
The outlook for the green Hayward variety is particularly promising, with orchard gate returns expected to top NZ$5 (US$4.13) per tray for the first time in a decade.
“Zespri is predicting $NZ 5.01 (US$4.14) a tray, our highest Orchard Gate Return for ten years,” New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc president Neil Trebilco said.
“This is due to a number of factors but principally - the lowest fruit loss year ever both on and offshore, reduced packhouse costs and excellent market returns. If it wasn't for the ongoing strengthening of the New Zealand dollar against our trading partners currencies, returns would be even better.”
Trebilco said New Zealand Hayward growers would receive significantly larger returns than their Chilean counterparts, who are expecting to receive NZ$2 (US$1.65) a tray for their fruit.
New Zealand-grown organic Hayward is expected to fetch NZ$6.65 (US$5.49) per tray this season, while the new green G9 variety is expected to return NZ$9.50 (US$7.85) per tray.
Zespri has forecast improved grower returns of NZ$12.25 (US$10.12) per tray for gold kiwifruit varieties, which are again likely to be down in volume this season as the New Zealand industry continues its Psa recovery programme.
Zespri forecasts its net profit will be in the vicinity of NZ$12-15m (US$9-12m) this season.
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