2024–25 apple harvest exceeds expectations, says Apples and Pears NZ CEO
The 2024-25 season apple harvest has “well and truly exceeded expectations”, says Apples and Pears NZ chief executive Karen Morrish.
Gaining momentum from the global roll-out of its new brand in July, NZ fruit company Rockit has recently launched its biggest sales and marketing campaign.
From mainland China to the Middle East, Rockit says it is driving its back-to-school campaign into thousands of stores and homes in its key global markets, promoting the nutritional and health benefits of choosing Rockit as children head back to the classroom.
Julian Smith, general manager global marketing for Rockit Global, says Rockit - which is sold in 30 countries worldwide - is currently in the midst of a very sharp growth curve across its international markets with volume up 43% on 2020 figures. He says the back-to-school campaign uses multiple platforms and touchpoints to establish the fully mature, miniature apple as the right healthy snack for kids to fuel their day.
"This is the first time we've launched a global marketing campaign of this size and calibre into some of our most exciting markets like the UAE, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Saudi Arabia."
He says consumers will be able to access a new interactive campaign microsite featuring downloadable activities, competitions and giveaways, as well as creative ideas to get everyone from kids to adults moving.
"Importantly, we're ramping up our social media and digital marketing in our key back-to-school markets with influencer content and collaborations, and delivering that content in traditional and simplified Chinese, and Arabic."
Smith says the campagin is another step in Rockit's journey towards sharing 400 million of its snack-sized apples with the world by 2025.
Farmers are being encouraged to take a closer look at the refrigerants running inside their on-farm systems, as international and domestic pressure continues to build on high global warming potential (GWP) 400-series refrigerants.
As expected, Fonterra has lifted its 2025-26 forecast farmgate milk price mid-point to $9.50/kgMS.
Bovonic says a return on investment study has found its automated mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, is delivering financial, labour, and animal-health benefits on New Zealand dairy farms worth an estimated $29,547 per season.
Pāmu has welcomed ten new apprentices into its 2026 intake, marking the second year of a scheme designed to equip the next generation of farmers with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for a thriving career in agriculture.
One team with 43 head, including a contingent from Mid Canterbury, are reflecting on a stellar NZ DairyEvent.
Fonterra farmer shareholders have approved the mechanism for a $2/share capital return expected from the sale of its global consumer and associated businesses.

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