In New Zealand, fruit packer and coolstore operator Satara Cooperative Group has warned of the potential for lower group earnings this year, due to lower levels of crop processing and a one-off tax.
While not giving an exact figure, the company said that profit could be 'significantly' down on the previous year, scoop.co.nz reported.
'The lower throughout has arisen from a lower number of supplying growers and a lower industry fruit yield compared to 2009,' said Satara chairman Hendrik Pieters.
The tax refers to changes in the New Zealand government's deductibility of depreciation for buildings with a life of 50 years or more, which will see Satara's deferred tax liability increase by around NZ$1.6m (US$1.1m, €900,000).
In 2009, the group's earnings fell to NZ$4.7m (US$3.2m, €2.6m) from NZ$6.2m (US$4.3m, €3.5m) during the previous year.
