Summerfruit season under way

LOOKING GOOD: It has been a positive start to the summerfruit season across the growing areas of New Zealand, with good fruit quality and plenty of people to pick the peaches, nectarines and more. File picture

The summerfruit season has started well across New Zealand with plenty of high-quality fruit available and the workforce to pick it.

Cherry, nectarine, peach and other summerfruit growers reported a positive start to the 2022-2023 season, said Summerfruit New Zealand chief executive, Kate Hellstrom.

“Fruit quality is good plus there are more people than last year available to pick it.

“This is due to the attraction and retention campaigns that the industry has been running for the past few years, and the fact it is easier to enter New Zealand now our borders have been freed up.”

Having enough people to pick and pack was vital, she said.

“There is nothing worse for a grower than fruit being left on trees and going to waste, which was the situation for some of our growers in recent years.

“The summerfruit workforce is made up of young and older New Zealanders, as well as Working Holiday Visa scheme holders and workers from the Pacific.

“It is heartening that things are looking more positive for this season. Now all we need is the weather to play ball over the next few weeks.

“Summerfruit export volumes are expected to be higher than last year, but this is subject to a number of factors, especially the weather.”