Northland growing region reports 60 per cent increase in volume
Blueberry supply in New Zealand is increasing, with developing production regions such as Northland reporting growth.
According to a report from the NZ Herald, Northland blueberry growers have reported a strong season with production surging nearly 60 per cent to 300 tonnes this season.
Patrick Malley, director of Northland’s largest packhouse, Maungatapere Packing (MPL), told the NZ Herald demand from New Zealand consumers in the early part of the season was helping drive the surge in production in one of the country’s smaller growing regions. Northland also produced a summer crop of which about 90 per cent was sent to Australia.
Malley attributed part of the season’s success to excellent growing conditions and the success of low-chill cultivars that thrived in Northland’s climate.
He said estimated Northland had contributed about 10 per cent of the overall national crop this season, which industry organisation Blueberries NZ (BBNZ) chair Kelvin Bezuidenhout estimated to be about 4,000 tonnes.
“A lot of exciting things (are) happening in horticulture in the region generally at the moment,” said Malley.
“There’s a lot of expansion happening in blueberries and other similar food types.”
The good growing conditions were seen across the industry for the most part, according to Bezuidenhout who said strong exports to Australia added buoyancy at a time when there was talk of increased plantings. Gaining access to the Korean market is also expected to spur industry growth.
“I think it’s seen as a good opportunity to make good use of land. So certainly, overall, I think blueberry volumes will continue to increase,” said Bezuidenhout.
