Slow start for NZ strawberries

New Zealand strawberry exports look set for a sluggish start this season following one of the wettest Septembers in recent memory, which is causing problems for fruit growers.

Glyn Parry, director of fruit exporter CSI told Fruitnet.com heavy rain during September has damaged fruit and delayed the start of the season, which typically kicks off in mid-October and runs through to late December.

This could prove costly he added, as countries such as the US, China, South Korea and Egypt continue to extend their growing seasons, essentially squeezing New Zealand’s export window.

“With only a limited window now for New Zealand berries, a late start to the season will dramatically affect our marketing period and reduce sales volumes,” he said.

Despite early difficulties he is optimistic good fruit quality will see sales pick up for the remainder of the season. 

“Once we are through this initial damaged fruit we believe that we will have excellent export quality berries from mid-October onwards.”

Typically New Zealand exports around 40 per cent of its strawberries to markets in Asia, North America and the Middle East, with some fruit also going to the Pacific Islands. 

While the industry as a whole is remaining steady, he said, export sales have declined over the last few years with more countries trying to produce strawberries in the traditional New Zealand season.

Currently the industry is targeting emerging markets, with Mr Parry singling out Indonesia as a country of interest.

However, it is Australia that could offer the biggest gains provided existing quarantine barriers can be overcome, he said.

“We can currently export to Australia but most of our berries end up being fumigated on arrival, which affects the shelf life,” said Mr Parry. “We need to develop a system that will allow us to pre-clear fruit in New Zealand, as is done with other products exported from New Zealand to Australia.”

New strawberry varieties are also being trialed, which could help strengthen the industry by providing unique marketing advantages in the future, he added.

“We are hopeful that these new varieties will be better suited to New Zealand growing conditions and will allow us to export a full-colour berry that has very good shelf life,” said Mr Parry.