Zespri has readjusted its returns forecast for the 2014 season, with New Zealand’s green kiwifruit growers looming as the big winners.
In an update sent to all growers, Zespri chairman Peter McBride announced that per-tray returns for Hayward (marketed as Zespri Green) had been adjusted to NZ$5.71 (US$4.53), up from the previous estimate of NZ$5.34 (US$4.24) released in August. McBride said the rise had been spurred on by recent price increases in Europe.
Gold returns also bettered the August estimate, climbing from NZ$9.36 (US$7.43) to NZ$9.57 (US$7.59), while organic growers are expected to receive an additional NZ$0.46 (US$0.37) per tray.
The total fruit and service payment across all pools, excluding loyalty premiums,is currently forecast at NZ$882m (US$700m), up from NZ$856m (US$679m) in the August forecast.
The Zespri Board has approved an interim dividend for the 2014/15 financial year of NZ$0.05 per share (US$0.04), while the company’s net profit is forecast to fall between NZ$22m - NZ$27m (US$17m - US$21m).
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