Record Kiwifruit Crop 2025-26: Zespri Forecasts Highest Grower Returns
Good news for kiwifruit growers - a record crop with forecast per hectare returns at record levels for all fruit categories for the 2025-26 season.
Wotton, who grows kiwifruit in Ōpōtiki and runs a harvest contracting business, has been recognised for the introduction of covers for picking bags which can be used during harvest to improve handling practices and prevent fruit damage which helps to significantly reduce quality costs and to maximise returns to growers.
The cover acts as a protective bib at the top of the bag supporting good practice picking, while also shielding just picked kiwifruit fruit from any soft, damaged or overripe fruit which may accidentally fall. It ensures a high quality product is delivered to packhouses, which can store well before being delivered to customers and consumers around the world by kiwifruit marketer Zespri.
The simple yet effective solution has been widely adopted by the industry, with post-harvest service provider EastPack’s orchard management arm, Prospa, making the use of bag covers compulsory. Both picking bag manufacturers in New Zealand now also offer a covered bag option.
Kiwifruit industry regulator Kiwifruit New Zealand (KNZ) Chair and award judge Samantha Sharif says the continued success of the kiwifruit industry is totally reliant on Zespri providing the highest quality kiwifruit to customers and consumers worldwide.
“Brett’s idea of using “picking bag covers” at harvest time helps to address what can be a serious quality at the very beginning of the supply chain. The use of these covers supports maximising fruit yields, and reduces the incidence of further quality problems at post-harvest and in-market," Sharif says.
“This is a great example of an innovative idea solving a real-world problem with a simple and practical solution.” she adds.
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Wotton says it's "incredible" to see how his cover has become a "game-changer for fruit quality".
"From the early trials to today’s industry-wide adoption, this innovation has the potential to significantly reduce fruit quality costs across the industry. I’m proud to have been part of the journey.”
The Kiwifruit Innovation Award was established in 2015 by former Chairman of Kiwifruit New Zealand, Sir Brian Elwood and recognises people who have demonstrated exceptional innovation through initiatives which have made a real difference to the kiwifruit industry through solving a problem or creating lasting value.
In the decade since the award was introduced, the Kiwifruit Innovation Award has celebrated some outstanding achievements. This has included Zespri’s Kanako Inomata for the creation of the KiwiBrothers which have been incredibly popular around the world, Dr Annette Richardson for her work on improving budbreak, Dr Steve Green who changed the approach to water and nutrient management, Cathy McKenna for work on pest management that has preserved market access and Russell Lowe, for his breeding work, including the first commercialised red kiwifruit cultivar.
