KiwiBrothersTM make their China debut
Zespri has unveiled the award-winning KiwiBrothersTM mascots in China for the first time to market its large kiwifruit crop.
No surprises, it's been a bad year for the kiwifruit sector with the final numbers recently released by Zespri.
These show that total global revenue from fruit sales for 2022/23 was $3.92 billion – down 3% on the record result in the previous season. Global sales volumes were also down, from 201.5 million trays to 183.5 million trays.
Zespri say that the value of kiwifruit lost because of quality issues in 2022/23 was $534 million – well up from the $307 million in the previous season. To top it off, increased costs also reduced grower returns with the return per tray for Zespri Green in 22/23 $5.78, compared to $6.35 the previous year, while returns for Sun- Gold were $9.97, down from $11.51 in 21/22.
Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson says the results are indicative of what’s been a very difficult period for many primary industries, with growers facing challenges relating to the labour shortage, the ongoing impacts of Covid-19, the climate and rising costs.
“This was one of our toughestever seasons and the industry worked incredibly hard to deliver our fruit to market, despite facing an extraordinary number of challenges, including a significant labour shortage.”
Mathieson says the results illustrate the importance of the industry’s efforts to improve quality, which remains a key driver in delivering stronger returns in future years.
He says this is a challenging period for growers, particularly Green growers, given the fact there will also be lower volumes of fruit in the 2023/24 season.
“While conditions remain challenging, the first shipments of the 2023/24 season have been well received by our customers, indicating initiatives from the industry’s Quality Action Plan are helping reduce quality costs and keeping poorer quality fruit onshore,” he says.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…