Ōpōtiki grower wins 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
Kiwifruit marketer Zespri says its kiwifruit has now reached more than 100 million households globally.
The company says the milestone reflects a growing global demand, with household penetration now sitting at 23% in its core markets.
Jiunn Shih, Zespri’s chief marketing, innovation and sustainability officer, says the company is proud to have continued to build on a strong consumer demand for kiwifruit and establish a strong brand consumers love.
“This milestone reflects our continuous focus on brand-led marketing efforts showcasing the benefits of our high-quality, nutritious and great-tasting Zespri Kiwifruit,” Shih says.
“It also demonstrates the progress we’ve made with our expansion into new markets and our use of new sales channels – making our kiwifruit available to more households across the globe,” he adds.
Shih says there is strong demand for Zespri’s kiwifruit, adding that the fruit is becoming increasingly popular with consumers more regularly opting for products that support their health and wellbeing.
“While kiwifruit continues to rise in popularity, there is still plenty of untapped demand which presents an opportunity for Zespri and our growers to continue to supply good quality fruit to grow household penetration further as volume increases,” he says.
Shih says Zespri is confident in its ability to create ongoing value for its growers.
“With an expected crop volume from New Zealand of more than 200 million trays of kiwifruit this season, we’re looking forward to making more nutritious Zespri Kiwifruit accessible to even more consumers around the world, in an increasingly competitive market,” he concludes.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

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