Picking begins in New Zealand growing regions Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay
Australasian kiwifruit producer Seeka has commenced its SunGold kiwifruit harvest with the first fruit of the season picked from a range of orchards in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay on 3 March.
Gisborne orchards, Harpers Road and College, owned and managed by Ngai Tukairangi Trust, and Hawke’s Bay orchards, Haumoana Estate and Heretaunga Waima were the first orchards that Seeka packs to pass clearance criteria and be picked, with Heretaunga Waima being a SunGold organic orchard.
Seeka’s Gisborne-based client relationship manager, Rochelle Brown, was impressed by the quality of the SunGold kiwifruit she is seeing this season.
“The fruit is looking outstanding this season. Fruit size and dry matter are right on track for where we want it to be,” said Brown.
Seeka-managed orchards, Wiroa and Raetea H, owned by Craigmore Permanent Crop Partnership in Kerikeri, will also begin harvesting in the first week of March.
Seeka’s chief executive, Michael Franks said ”We are pleased that orchards in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay are returning to normal production following the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. We wish them a safe and successful harvest. These early clearances along with the RubyRed kiwifruit clearances, provide a good startup for our facilities which are ready to roll with the capacity and labour to efficiently pick, pack and load fruit for our valued growers”.
