Record sales for Zespri as 2025 results released

Zespri has reported a strong financial result for the 2025/26 season, reflecting continued global demand for high-quality kiwifruit.

The kiwifruit marketer’s global fruit sales revenue reached a record NZ$5.9bn (US$3.4bn) from sales of a record 248.1mn trays, up from NZ$5bn and 220.9mn trays in the previous year.

This has supported direct returns to the New Zealand industry reaching a record NZ$3.56bn for the 2025 season, with total fruit and service payments spread across New Zealand’s growing regions, including the Bay of Plenty, Northland, the East Coast, Nelson and the Waikato. This is up from NZ$3.04bn in 2024.

Per hectare returns reached record levels across all categories last season, with average final per tray returns exceeding Zespri’s February forecast following a positive finish to sales programmes.

Zespri’s net profit after tax was NZ$280.1mn, up from NZ$155.2mn in 2024/25, reflecting larger fruit volumes and increased revenue from licence release. Excluding licence revenue, Zespri recorded its highest ever profit of NZ$123.8mn, up from NZ$79.8mn in 2024/25 driven by increased supply, market performance and a focus on operating efficiencies. The expected total net dividend is NZ$1.39 per share.

Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake said the 2025 season results signal the industry’s momentum.

“These results are something the industry can be proud of, particularly given we delivered a record crop in a much more challenging and complex environment,” Te Brake said.

“Record per-hectare returns and our improved per tray returns reflect improved yields and our ability to secure strong value for growers, shareholders and our communities through the strength of our brand and supply chain.

“While we experienced pressure in certain markets, this was offset by our strong performance in key regions such as Europe and North America.”

Zespri’s non-New Zealand supply also performed well, achieving sales of NZ$875.9mn from 32.3mn trays, compared with NZ$652.4mn and 26.5mn trays in 2024/25. 

“Our ZGS supply remains a critical part of our strategy, with increased volumes from our Northern Hemisphere supply helping build our brand, hold shelf space in an increasingly competitive market and maintain commercial partnerships that support strong returns to our growers,” said Te Brake

He added that the 2025 season also marked an important step forward with the industry looking ahead to the next decade.

“We’ve launched our 2035 strategy which is focused on building on our momentum - ensuring we continue to invest in quality, capability and market development so we can consistently deliver strong returns for growers and sustained value for shareholders over the long term,” he said.

“By focusing on our three drivers - building brand-led demand, transforming global supply and creating the product portfolio of the future, we’ll be in a strong position to realise our ambition of becoming the world’s healthiest fruit brand by 2035 and deliver strong value to the industry.”

Te Brake noted the New Zealand government’s announcement last week of proposed stronger PVR protections will also support the industry’s momentum.

“The proposals include extending the PVR ownership period and reinstating provisional protection for new varieties, with this helping protect the premium our licensed varieties demand in market, securing strong value for longer. This will enable our continued investment in creating the product portfolio of the future which is a key driver of our 2035 strategy,” said Te Brake.

“Looking ahead to the current 2026/27 season, the industry is making good progress in completing this season’s harvest with sales off to a strong start across our key markets. While the global environment remains complex, demand is positive and we’re seeing strong sales in Europe and North America, with Japan also performing well, and we’re looking forward to sharing our fruit with even more consumers in the year ahead.”