The firm, which has sent its first cargo of SunGold fruit to Japan this season, said demand for fresh fruit is good and that might help it weather the coronavirus disruptions it expects.
But its best-case scenario assumes at least some disruption across the distribution network.
Covid-19 is also affecting labour supply here but chairman Bruce Cameron said it is too soon to say how big an impact that will have on the industry’s ability to pick and pack the crop.
Last month Zespri forecast final orchard gate returns for the 2019 selling season at $6.46 a tray for green fruit and $11.71 for gold.
Zespri is planning to ship 155m trays overseas this year in more than 18,500 containers and 47 charter vessels.
Ports in Japan, Korea and Europe are functioning well and have plenty of labour. – BusinessDesk
