Pipfruit New Zealand chairman and Otago grower Ian Palmer said the organisation’s recent conference delivered a positive message for growers in the country.
New Zealand’s top-fruit growers have endured a difficult period in recent years, with exchange rate differentials, rising costs and increasing competition forcing them to battle for previously guaranteed market share, particularly in Europe.
However, after this month’s conference, Palmer said: “The real conclusion is that we do have a sustainable industry and one with a lot of potential. New Zealand could well become the ‘food bowl’ for Asia and our cousins Australia and our industry is well positioned to be a major part of this.
“At conference, I referred to being pleased to see the US exchange rate in the 72 cent mark - well how quickly things change, at the time of writing this article, the rate had dipped into the 69 cent range for a time. With the potential for a lot of the income still to come back to NZ, there could be a nice upswing on the returns for the late varieties. Now, that is always good news,” Palmer said.
Looking forward to the 2009 season, he said to growers: “It is hard to believe that budbreak is not far away for some regions already. It only seems like yesterday that winter began. I hope all growers take a serious look at being part of the Apple Futures Project growing method this season. A key part of the strategy is to keep on top of our pest and disease issues form an early stage. I hope you look to apply the oil plus appropriate insecticide to give us the best possible start to our pest management.”
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