Global marketer Zespri International has confirmed that all of this year's New Zealand kiwifruit crop has now been harvested, with 50 per cent of the total volume already shipped to overseas markets.
According to the company, supply chain partners working in the New Zealand kiwifruit industry have managed to achieve new levels of efficiency this season, breaking records for the time it takes to fully load vessels which carry the fruit to export markets.
While 24 hours has historically been the benchmark for loading a reefer ship, during the past month handling operators at the Port of Tauranga managed to load Zespri kiwifruit onto the Seatrade-operated vessel Hansa Lubeck in just 16.5 hours using an eight-pallet lifting cage, described by Zespri as 'unprecedented'.
Another vessel, the Asian Brier operated by Fresh Carriers Corporation, was fully loaded in 21.5 hours a week later, despite only allowing two pallets to be placed on board at a time.
Ian Mearns, general manager of Tauranga Kiwifruit Logistics Limited, which coordinates loading operations in New Zealand, commented: 'This is an outstanding effort by the whole industry - the growers, coolstores, transport companies, stevedores and Zespri.'
Mr Mearns said he attributed the improvements to a number of factors, including product availability, the additional buffer storage space at the Port of Tauranga and the general performance of the stevedores involved.
'Everyone seems to be energised and motivated to be working harder than ever before, which is great to see,' he continued. 'We really rolled up our sleeves and worked together to get the job done. It is a good example of all parties, irrespective of which company you represent, working together with a common focus.'
Sally Gardiner, Zespri's supply chain general manager, pointed out that some processes had been streamlined since last year, something which she felt had contributed to a smoother operation this season.
'Most notably, we have enhanced shipping documentation, planning and order execution, data and process,' she remarked. 'These improvements ensure that the industry is ready and willing to constantly evolve where possible in order to deliver the fruit to the markets in full, on time and maximise returns for kiwifruit growers.'
The final shipment of Zespri Gold kiwifruit is expected to leave the Port of Tauranga in the first week of August.
As the season for Zespri Green kiwifruit is much longer, however, shipping for that product will continue until to November; the final Zespri Green shipment has been scheduled to depart the Port of Tauranga in mid-November, bound for Asia.