Record Kiwifruit Harvest Brings Optimism, but Green Growers Face Profitability Challenges
Signs for the 2026-27 kiwifruit crop look good, but there are still some challenges for growers – especially those who produce green kiwifruit.
The coolstore and packhouse operator is still able to recruit and has a hotline set up 0800 SEEKAJOBS
“If you ring them up and you are available to work particularly in Te Puke we will sign you up. You can work tomorrow,” he told Rural News.
Franks says they are well short of labour.
“We have probably got 400-500 RSE workers that aren’t here and they are really experienced people that have been working for us for a long time. Typically they were working nightshift, graveyard or work through the night to get fruit packed.
“So not only are we missing a number of workers, but also experienced people who have been doing the job for 10 years.
“Getting enough skilled workers, or key staff such as quality controllers, EDI (electronic data interchange), pack line or grading supervisors, that’s tough.”
But for all positions “we still need a lot more people”, he says.
