Production set to increase 26 per cent this season based on harvest to date
Kiwi Crunch is set to experience a boost in volume of Piqa Red Pear this season, with 26 per cent growth expected in 2025 based on the harvest to date.
“Last year we harvested 142,500kg (142.5 tonnes) and this season we expect to harvest 180,000kg (180 tonnes), with further growth year-on-year going forward,” said Nigel Hope, Kiwi Crunch operations manager.
As one of New Zealand’s largest vertically integrated apple and pear exporters, Kiwi Crunch has orchards in Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago, and markets around 2mn cartons of apples and pears annually into more than 30 countries.
In 2024, the marketer planted 6,000 Piqa (previously marketed as PiqaBoo) trees in Central Otago – the first commercial planting in the region.
“We have put significant work into tree health and pruning in order to increase production and on our biggest orchard we expect to harvest over 55 tonnes per hectare,” Hope said.
According to Duncan Park, Prevar quality manager, “the top Piqa growers are achieving 30 tonnes+ per hectare on sixth leaf crops and achieving very attractive orchard gate return”.
Despite the increase in production, James Bennett, Kiwi Crunch GM Asia sales said the demand for Piqa is outpacing the Kiwi Crunch supply.
“Feedback from customers has been extremely positive on orchard, it has been an exceptional growing season, the quality is outstanding,” Bennett said.
“Customers love the uniqueness of the red skin, it’s crisp and juicy with excellent shelf life.”
The first PIQA shipment grown by Kiwi Crunch is due to arrive into China on 16 March and will be packed into retail pack formats ready for release to market late March.
Kiwi Crunch is one of New Zealand’s largest vertically integrated pip fruit exporters with orchards in Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago, marketing around 2 million cartons of apples and pears annually into more than 30 countries.
