The New Zealand kiwifruit harvest is expected due to poor weather and low volumes

The 2023 New Zealand kiwifruit harvest has begun against a backdrop of adverse weather conditions, which has complicated some growers. Also, the new red variety will be harvested first, with smaller production than last year.

Fruit was picked from Pukehina outside Taranga yesterday morning, with more kiwis to be harvested across New Zealand in the coming months. Robert McKenzie had his first harvest of red kiwifruit this year on his 0.84ha farm managed by Levi Hartley from Prospa. The collection was commissioned by Peters Horticulture Limited.

Zespri’s new RubyRed variety is the first to be harvested, followed by the Gold (yellow) and Green (green) varieties. Traditionally, harvest peaks in mid-April and continues through June. This is the second year that Rubred has been sold commercially.

The 2023 crop forecast is lower than last year’s 160 million pallets exported to overseas markets due to bad weather in recent months. On average, each plate contains about 30 kiwis.

Cyclone Gabriel brought wind and rain to all of New Zealand’s kiwifruit-growing regions this week, especially at a critical time for kiwifruit growth so close to harvest. NZKGI CEO Colin Bond explains: “As the situation continues to evolve, our main concern at the moment is the immediate needs and well-being of affected industry members. I am working closely with other representatives from the horticulture industry to assess the extent of damage and the immediate needs of our people in our sector. government and interested parties. There is no doubt that victims will also have medium and long-term needs.”

“I know that the pre-Hurricane Gabriel floods and the suspension of progressive payments in February had a major impact on some producers. Our efforts are focused on reducing the ongoing pressures many producers are facing at this time. Additionally, there is widespread concern that recent weather, including lack of daylight hours, could affect fruit development as harvest approaches. .”

The industry is working hard to address quality issues that hampered last year’s harvest. Farmers have also faced adverse weather effects such as hailstorms, frost, cyclones and associated floods during the pre-harvest period, which has affected kiwifruit production. This season looks set to be unusually difficult for growers, with Kiwi growing flower buds opening poorly for a year.

“Although this year’s low bud break and weather conditions mean it is too early to get a clear idea of ​​seasonal labor requirements for picking and packing the 2023 crop, the low volume forecast for this year indicates that labor demand will be lower than in 2022, when about 24,000 people were needed.

New Zealand’s reopening of borders, easing of Covid-19 restrictions and the downward trend in the economy signaled a temporary respite from the severe labor shortages of previous years. “At the moment, while the number of working holiday visa holders in New Zealand is promising, it is still unclear whether the horticulture sector will receive its full share of authorized seasonal workers due to visa and flight disruptions,” he says.

The sector knows that the reduction in the amount of kiwifruit produced in 2023 is only a temporary relief; The difficulty of finding enough labor is expected to return in 2024 when volumes rise significantly.

There are about 2,800 kiwifruit growers in New Zealand, from Kerikeri to Motueka. “The industry needs to work together to ensure the 2023 season runs as smoothly as possible . . . it’s an industry that has jobs for everyone, is rewarding, flexible and wages are competitive,” says Bond.

New Zealand’s kiwifruit sector is the largest horticultural export, with an economic contribution of $2.4 billion in 2022 and expected to exceed $3.8 billion in 2030.

For more information:
Mike Murphy
NZKGI
Phone +64 0800 232 505
Email: [email protected]
nzkgi.org.nz