Good weather sees industry improve following five difficult seasons
New Zealand’s persimmon exports have seen a 20 per cent rise in the last year, according to a NewstalkZB radio segment.
Persimmon Industry Council Manager Ian Turk told breakfast show host Mike Hosking the growth was thanks to improved weather conditions this season.
“We’ve got a good season this year,” he said. “Our growers are happy.”
The promising season follows about five years of struggles dealing with the impacts of Covid, Cyclone Gabrielle and other poor weather events.
“The 20 per cent increase brings us back up to a good average level,” Turk explained. “It’s back to where we should be.”
Turk said the New Zealand persimmon industry remains relatively small with about 28 growers producing fruit across 100ha in the country’s Gisbourne region.
“It’s a small industry, we’ve got about 28 growers, and we export about NZ$10mn worth of fruit,” Turk told Hosking.
However, thanks to a positive season there are some signs of growth.
“There’s some new plantings in already, so there’s interest and ability for the industry to grow,” Turk said.
Export markets include Australia, South-East Asia and Canada, according to Hosking.
