Sales of New Zealand kiwifruit to the US could be down this year owing to a weak US dollar relative to its New Zealand counterpart.
According a report in the Packer, Wenatchee general manager Tom Richardson said the greenback is currently at one of its lowest levels in decades relative to the New Zealand dollar.
“Even with the very good prices here, the returns are just not stacking up,” he said. “They’re diverting to other markets.”
Despite exchange rates cutting into profit margins for New Zealand fruit, he reported the US market was showing good potential.
The US market for Chilean kiwifruit was stronger than at the same time last year, said Mr Richardson, which boded well for fruit from New Zealand.
“New Zealand will be coming into a market that is probably a little better than last year,” said Mr Richardson.
The first shipments were expected to arrive in the US in mid May and would continue through to November.
New Zealand fruit was on the large side this year, said Mr Richardson, with sizes peaking on 30 counts rather than the usual 33-36.
“That’s right in the middle of the 27-33 size range most retailers like to see on New Zealand fruit,” he said.
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