HORTNEWS
Many muck-in to help out with Hawke’s Bay cleanup – Page 2
ISSN 2624-3490 (print) ISSN 2624-3504 (online)
WWW.HORTNEWS.CO.NZ
JULY 2023, ISSUE 35
Hort faces higher prices and lower returns! Sudesh Kissun sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
SMALLER HARVESTS and slightly stronger prices, but overall returns are well down for many growers. That’s the overriding theme for the horticulture sector this season, according to ANZ agricultural economist Susan Kilsby. In ANZ Research’s June Agri Focus, Kilsby writes that the fruit harvest is in for most growers, and the focus has shifted to exporting. The harvest of green kiwifruit is ongoing, but for the red and gold fruit it’s over, she says. “This year the kiwifruit harvest, like the apple harvest, was considerably lower than normal. In-market prices have improved a little for early season fruit, but it is unclear whether these prices are sustainable.” Looking at grower returns, apple export prices recovered this season, mostly due to lower volumes. Early season export returns have increased to levels seen a couple of years ago, but reduced yields will limit the sector’s total returns, notes Kilsby. While yields are down, the industry has worked hard to ensure fruit quality. “Exporters have reported an improvement in the reliability of shipping this season compared to previous seasons, which is not unexpected given the global supply
ANZ agricultural economist Susan Kilsby says reduced yields will limit the hort sector’s total returns this year.
chain challenges associated with the pandemic,” says Kilsby. “Getting space on ships, when and
where needed, can be a challenge and tends to be a bigger problem for smaller companies.”
She says there is a small window of opportunity this year for apple exporters to benefit from the NZ-UK
free trade agreement. The agreement, which came into force on 31 May, TO PAGE 8 ➨
SPRAY PUMPS & EQUIPMENT High-quality spray pumps from ANNOVI REVERBERI, BERTOLINI & COMET available now. Webbline stock a wide range of spray pumps, service kits and sprayer accessories, making it easy to find the perfect solution.
BEN BOAKES SPARE PARTS SPECIALIST 021 819 482 www.webbline.co.nz
webblineltd
@webblineagltd
WAIKATO • MANAWATU • CANTERBURY • SOUTHLAND