Record kiwifruit volume for 2011

Zespri's  2011/12 financial results show a lift in global revenue of seven per cent to NZ$1.62 billion, on the back of a record volume crop of 116.5 million trays of kiwifruit.

The record crop volume increased total returns to New Zealand growers in 2011/12 by 11 per cent to $980.4 million, with the average Orchard Gate Return for growers increasing by 8.1 per cent to $45,206 per hectare.

Zespri Chairman John Loughlin said being able to sell the record-size crop in an orderly manner, while ensuring ZESPRI could maintain a premium position in its markets, was a significant success in 2011/12.

"As is the case for so many of New Zealand's primary producers, on-going global economic uncertainty, rising costs and a volatile dollar are providing significant headwinds for ZESPRI.  It is in these difficult times that the united structure of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry really proves its worth," Mr Loughlin said.

 "We expect Psa to further impact on Gold volumes in 2013/14.  However, in 2014/15 we expect to see Gold volumes recover, as the Psa-recovery pathway centered around the ZESPRI variety Gold3 begins to take effect," Mr Loughlin said.

Mr Loughlin said a real challenge for the New Zealand kiwifruit industry in coming years is moving from a situation of declining volumes due to Psa, to rapidly-growing volumes in a very short space of time, should the recovery pathway prove successful.

Zespri will continue to invest significantly in its research and development response to Psa, Mr Loughlin said.

Zespri has also released the first forecast of indicative returns to growers for the 2012/13 season.  The forecast range for both Green and Organic remain similar to the 2011/12 returns, while the forecast range for Gold growers is significantly higher, due to lower volumes.