The first forecast of the year is for a projected return of NZ$488.8million (£150m) some 2.6 per cent up on last year and based on 59.7million trays supplied – an eight per cent volume decline on 2001-02.

Europe had a strong start to the season with record early season sales and record sales of Gold – up 102 per cent – as new volumes continued to come on stream. Sales volumes of green kiwifruit were similar to last season but with higher prices. A big investment on advertising and promotion has dented Gold returns slightly as Zespri works to secure long-term consumers for its new product. The UK market in particular has benefited from this promotional push Organic sales volumes are increased globally on last season as are revenues, despite a 4.5 per cent decline in volume on 2001. Forecast returns are up NZ$1.66 on last year including an NZ$0.50 differential payment agreed to encourage growers to increase organic production.

'It's our first forecast for the season,' said executive chairman Doug Voss. 'With such strong sales to date at improved prices, we are confident our overall returns to growers for each variety are going to stack up very well. It's particularly pleasing to note that each market is performing well across our product range.'

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