With the New Zealand kiwifruit harvest safely in, sole exporter Zespri International estimates that volumes are likely to pack out to 82 million class I trays.
This quantity is similar to last year’s crop and comes despite a slow start to the season in terms of fruit maturity.
Inclement weather also played its part, but good conditions at the end of the growing season have given the crop a boost. Improved weather conditions late in the autumn have increased fruit size and Zespri now calculates there will be some 64.5m trays of its green fruit.
Zespri Gold crop volumes are also similar to the 2004 season and 14.5m trays are expected. This year Zespri reports fruit size is more aligned to the desired profile and is smaller than last season.
The majority of Gold fruit is already on the water, meanwhile, the exporter reports that around a third of its green crop has been shipped and 40 per cent of its organic fruit.
The season has had a later start than 2004. Japan started a week later and was the main focus for early season fruit. As a result east Asian markets were a week later than 2004 and Europe was around two weeks behind last season.
This has largely been because domestic fruit volumes in Japan were lower than in previous seasons, whereas in Europe there were ample supplies of French and Italian fruit late into the season as well as new season Chilean volumes.
Prices in Europe generally are climbing as northern hemisphere fruit clears the market.
Chile has been on the market for two months already, but sizes are mainly on the small side and Zespri’s good size profile is being welcomed.
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