With 80% of the crop harvest coming out of Bay of Plenty that region experienced warmer than average winter temperatures, reducing Green bud burst and resulting in lower crop volumes.
However, SunGold, with its significant increases in cropped area and continuing gains in yields, was expected to experience growth in volume significantly up on last season’s 25 million trays.
The Green variety sold 90m trays last year.
While firm crop volumes had not yet been established, expectations were that SunGold would top 30m trays this year, on track to hit the expected 60m trays in the next five years.
A Zespri spokeswoman said continued growth in SunGold volumes came as more vines reached full maturity with Green volumes down somewhat on last year’s record crop because of weather conditions in the growing season.
“All indications are that the fruit is sizing well on the vines as we head towards harvest, with taste levels tracking well.”
Recent heavy rain on the Coromandel Peninsula had been reported to have badly damaged some areas in two orchards and early picking in that area might be delayed because of drymatter levels dropping post-rainfall.
“Our strong total volume growth will continue as SunGold volumes increase to meet consumer demand around the world.”
Kiwifruit Growers chairman Doug Brown said early harvest had been delayed by the weather with expectations total volumes would be down on last season.
About 8000 seasonal workers would be employed this season with the harvest encompassing 12,000ha of fruit owned by 2500 growers.
