How have production conditions been so far this season?
We will have a normal 2013 green season, with volumes quite similar to those in 2012. Volumes for Zespri Gold will have a significant decrease compared to last season, asgrowers change over to theSunGold variety. Green organic volumes remain stable.
We are growing a natural product, so weather conditions do have an impact on the fruit. This year we have been experiencing lower than average rainfall in the main growing regions. On one hand that has a positive effect because it means the expression and potential spread of Psa is considerably lower. Another plus is that dry weather usually also means that we have better-tasting fruit. Since taste is very important for us, that is a real plus.
Some rain before harvest is actually useful for the growing profile of the fruit and can help to size it up in the last days. Rain showers in April have therefore caused a slow start in the harvest, which is currently in full swing. Size profile for the coming season will be slightly smaller, as was the case during the previous New Zealand season.
When will the season start?Is thisearlier or later than in recent seasons and why?
The Zespri Green season has already started. First loadings to clients were done last Friday and distribution is now flowing through the distribution channels in the various markets.The Gold season will start later than other seasons and first fruit is expected beginning mid-June.
How is the fight against Psa going?
Psa is still present and will not go away in the short term. There is no short-term solution for the kiwifruit trade from this disease.
The industry has made progress in learning to live with Psa, and ultimately the solution to Psa will involve a combination of Psa-tolerant varieties, new tools and new orchard-management practices.There is an extensive Psa R&D programme being managed by Zespri in partnership with Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH), with over 80 research programmes underway and around 130,000 cultivars in the development pipeline.
We have learned that Zespri Gold is more susceptible to the disease, but we have a positive outlook in awaiting the future growth coming for SunGold, a variety that is more tolerant to Psa. During the last summer, around 2,700ha of SunGold has been grafted and significant growth coming from this variety is expected from 2014 onwards.Monitoring shows the variety appears to have more tolerance to Psa than Hort16A.
How important is the UK market for Zespri and has thisposition changed?
The UK is still one of our smaller markets, but it is growing. We get more and more appreciation for the quality of our product and service. This results in more retailers wanting to work with us.
What are the challenges this year in terms of supply to the UK?
Competition is always a factor and that will not be different this year. We can only do the maximum to service our partners in the best possible way with our quality products. The exchange rate against the New Zealand dollar is a major challenge. We have to make sure our growers get a good return for their products.
What are your overall forecasts for this season?
Harvesting is still on its way, so this is very difficult to predict exactly. But we think it will be slightly down on Hayward and off course, while Zespri Gold will have extremely low production this year. But the prognosis for the future is still okay for Gold.
What is new this year in terms of shipping, varietal work etc?
We will introduce the first commercial volumes of SunGold into most European markets. Zespri has also introduced the world’s first and only fully compostable fruit labels on all Zespri Organic Kiwifruit this season. This initiative is part of Zespri’s ongoing commitment to improving the environmental credentials of its products. Zespri is committed to providing sustainable products in an environmentally and socially responsible way.
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