Zespri’s final shipments of New Zealand kiwifruit have now been completed, signalling the end of the export season.
According to Sally Gardiner, Zespri’s general manager for supply chain, the New Zealand kiwifruit industry has exported 99.8 million trays, which equates to approximately 3.3 billion single pieces of kiwifruit.
In the December forecast, grower returns look to have increased by NZ$46.8m (£20.6m) to $825.8m, when compared with last year.
Gardiner said: “This is a strong result in a very challenging economic environment. Zespri growers have delivered fruit to meet the premium quality requirements of our international customers, and our post-harvest partners have reacted flexibly in an ever-changing market environment to ensure that fruit is delivered on time, in full, and to specification (DIFOTIS).
“In fact, this year is the first time ever that our suppliers have exceeded targets set for delivery, achieving DIFOTIS targets of 90 per cent or better.”
Gardiner said all New Zealand Zespri kiwifruit had been shipped and 97 per cent has been sold across all varieties and markets. As the New Zealand selling season draws to a close, Zespri commenced its northern hemisphere selling programme, which will run through until March 2010.
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