New Zealand is forecasting a kiwifruit crop 10 per cent lower than last year for 2013, with the bulk of the reduction coming in the gold category.
That was the latest forecast according to Zespri grower and government relations general manager Simon Limmer, who told the Wall Street Journal that the smaller crop, combined with unfavourable exchange rates, would result in an increase in prices.
Limmon said that production was expected to fall to 90m trays from 110m trays in 2012, with gold kiwifruit hit by the spread of the vine-killing disease Psa-V, which now affects 65 per cent of New Zealand's orchards.
He added that the market remained 'pretty challenging' as the global economy – particularly Europe – remained challenging, and while Asia was promising Japan was 'battling' against prices that had climbed by 12 per cent.
