fbpx
Print this page
Tuesday, 25 October 2022 08:55

Frost bites kiwifruit yield

Written by  Peter Burke
Zespri acting chair Paul Jones says the frost comes after what has been a challenging year for the industry. Zespri acting chair Paul Jones says the frost comes after what has been a challenging year for the industry.

A major frost event which hit kiwifruit orchards in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions earlier this month is estimated to cause production losses of up to 25% this season.

Zespri acting chairman Paul Jones says preliminary assessments based on discussions with growers suggest that the frost is likely to have contributed to a 10-15% reduction in planned Green and SunGold variety kiwifruit crops for the 2023 season, and a 15-25% reduction in RubyRed kiwifruit. Jones says the figures have been calculated based on a weighted average by region and will be revised as Zespri gathers more information before the first official crop estimate for the 2023 season is released in early December.

Rural News understands that some of the frost occurred in places which are normally regarded as frost free – hence the greater impact of the event.

A number of orchards in the Bay of Plenty have already come out publicly stating the damage to their crops and their numbers line up with Zespri’s figures.

“This frost comes after what has been a challenging year for the industry and we extend our sympathy to all affected growers,” says Jones.

“Zespri is continuing to work closely with New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) to ensure pastoral care is available for all affected growers.”

A series of ‘frost field days’ are currently underway and details on these events are available on Canopy, an online portal for industry stakeholders: growers can find resources on how to best manage frost-damaged vines and remain vigilant to the threat of Psa.

Meanwhile Zespri has announced that it will release licences to grow more kiwifruit in the coming year. The Zespri board says it has approved the release of 350ha of SunGold kiwifruit and 150ha of RubyRed kiwifruit licence in 2023.

It says the decision to release 350ha of SunGold kiwifruit is at the bottom end of the previously advised range of licence release which was 350- 700ha. This newly licensed area is for supply in 2-4 years’ time.

The board says there will not be a release of Organic Sun- Gold kiwifruit licences as they are confident the existing plantings will satisfy target market demand.

More like this

Positive first year for ZAG fund

As it enters its second year, Zespri says the first year of the Zespri Innovation Fund (ZAG), has been “really positive”.

Export prices set to remain elevated

Horticultural prices are set to remain elevated this year, reflecting the balance between demand in key export markets and an increase in supply.

Popular Reads

Featured

$2b boost in NZ exports to EU

$2b boost in NZ exports to EU

New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.

US tariffs hit European ag machinery markets

The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.

Tributes paid to Jim Bolger

Dignitaries from  all walks of life – the governor general,  politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and  friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.

National

Machinery & Products