Produce

The produce giant warns its FY21 profit could fall as much as 76% from the $16.6m it posted in 2020.

Zespri RubyRed will hit the shelves in commercial volumes in March with around 250,000 trays expected.

The Gisborne business is pumping millions into its pilot undercover growing project to test the environmental and productivity gains it can unlock.

Rockit says its apple sales jumped 94% in Mainland China for the Mid-Autumn Festival sales period, compared to the same time last year.

Kāpiti and Wairarapa olive oil makers have swept the annual New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards, winning all five major accolades.

New Zealand Apples and Pears Incorporated has appointed John Allen as a director to its board.

T&G Global has launched a new campaign to showcase its premium Jazz apple as the ‘hero of Halloween’.

“Despite a challenging season, market demand remains positive, following the Northern Hemisphere summer fruit period,” Zespri said. 

Zespri and Plant & Food Research’s Kiwifruit Breeding Centre 50/50 joint venture opens its doors this week.

Under new leadership, the apple cider vinegar company is planning a domestic drive and looking for new export opportunities.

Zespri says a proposal to end the use of hydrogen cyanamide will likely hit kiwifruit industry earnings.

Kiwifruit exporter Zespri says it continues to work constructively with authorities following a positive test result for Covid-19 in China on a sample of fruit from the Bay of Plenty.

One-way, quarantine-free travel for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers from Vanuatu will be allowed from 4 October, says the government.

The Brewers Guild of New Zealand and the Produce Marketing Association Australia New Zealand have brought in new leadership. Melanie Kees has been appointed executive director of the Brewers Guild MORE »

Labour shortages, increased kiwifruit supply, and shipping disruptions are leading to the one of the most challenging seasons in decades, says Zespri.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand is calling for comment on an application to allow the sale and use of food made from a genetically modified corn.

Seeka has made an offer to acquire Kerikeri-based kiwifruit grower Orangewood Limited.

The chief executive of Mr Apple, Andrew van Workum, has sold more than 80,000 shares in parent company Scales Corporation, raising $415,918 in the process, according to an NZX filing.

Manuka honey exporter Comvita has appointed a trio of new board directors, namely Bridget Coates, Yawen Wu and chief executive David Banfield.

The details are yet to be finalised but government confirmation that quarantine-free travel will commence in October for workers from Vanuatu, Tonga and Samoa has provided a boost to growers.

Fonterra, Zespri, and Foodstuffs are heavyweights in NZ’s top 30 co-operative rankings.

The government’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund is contributing $2.6m towards a $5m project to develop a commercial-scale autonomous robotic asparagus harvester.

T&G Global has launched an integrated marketing campaign in key Asian markets to encourage consumers to celebrate full moon festivities with Envy apples as mid-autumn festivities approach.

T&G Global has launched the first global marketing campaign for its Jazz apple brand following a recent brand refresh.

The new international genetics and variety management business says it has around 50 premium apple, pear and berry projects lined up.

Foodservice distributors and suppliers have geared up again as restaurants and cafes re-open under restrictions.

A former Foodstuffs executive moves to T&G Fresh, Pāmu’s boss jumps ship to Delegat, and an inaugural kiwifruit jv CEO named.

Diversified focus put agribusiness on track to to deliver full year net profit of between $32 – $37m.

With China and Korea its number one and two markets, Grove is looking to Thailand and Vietnam for further growth.

With New Zealand remaining in lockdown until at least Tuesday 24 August, Zespri’s scheduled grower roadshows starting today, 23 August have been postponed.

New Zealand’s largest kiwifruit grower, Seeka, posted a sharp rise in net profit before tax in the six months ended 30 June, up 77% to $30.8m compared with the same six months last year.

With the foodservice channel shut, manufacturers are looking to supermarkets to pick up the slack.

A New Zealand chef who pioneered the development of avocado milk has teamed up with a buttercup squash grower to develop a new plant-milk destined for export markets in Asia.

Incumbent Kiwifruit New Zealand director Colin Olesen is to serve a second three-year term on the body’s board. KNZ said that when nominations for the election closed on Monday 9 MORE »

Zespri and Plant & Food Research will launch their 50/50 joint venture Kiwifruit Breeding Centre on 1 October 2021.

Food prices rose 1.3% in July compared with the previous month, mainly influenced by fruit and vege price hikes.

The value of the New Zealand potato industry sits at $1.16bn, up 58% since targets were set in 2013, according to Potatoes New Zealand.

Organic apple grower Bostock New Zealand says it has seen a 136% increase in organic apple sales this year across its direct retail programmes in China.

More New Zealanders than ever are eating the recommended daily intake of five fruit and vegetables, according to The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust.

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public to return Living Foods’ Spring Life brand mung bean sprouts and sweet mango mesclun salad as they may contain Listeria bacteria.

Growers, suppliers, industry leaders and government stakeholders from around the country will this week gather at Toi Toi event centre in Hastings for the NZ Apples and Pears 2021 conference.

The produce giant’s new business has launched with two initial partnerships.

Former Horticulture New Zealand chief executive, Mike Chapman, has won the Bledisloe Cup for significant services to horticulture for more than 20 years. 

Co-founders Ali Alomari and Leila Deljkovic are sounding out investors as the startup preps for a commercial pilot in Marlborough.

The positions were needed to help meet global demand for the grower’s apples.

Northland avocado orchard known as the Broadhurst portfolio is up for sale by tender, closing 4pm August 26.

The former Designworks CEO is behind the new Good Farmers collective, which brings its first product to market this week.

HortNZ will support “any move to ensure that growers get a better return on their investment, so that they will continue to invest in fruit and vegetable growing meaning New Zealanders can eat healthy, locally produced food”. 

Inflation for the all households group, as measured by the household living-costs price indexes was 1.1% in the June 2021 quarter.

Zespri says its Horizon Programme to upgrade its ageing internal systems and processes will cost about $160m over the three- to four-year life of the project. The co-op said on MORE »

The new innovation hub will fill a “glaring gap in the food bowl of New Zealand,” says the project’s boss.

Grower co-operative MG Marketing and Dole New Zealand have donated more than four tonnes of bananas through their Good Bunch partnership to Salvation Army Foodbanks.

Twenty-eight-year-old Bryce Morrison, a grower services representative for Seeka, has been named Bay of Plenty’s Young Grower of the Year for 2021.

Plant Research would this summer enter the final stages of development and multiplication of chickpea and soy varieties developed specifically for New Zealand’s maritime environment.

International fresh produce company T&G Global’s majority shareholder, German multinational conglomerate BayWa AG, has transferred its shares to BayWa Global Produce GmbH.

A productive Northland avocado orchard has been placed on the market for sale.

The total value of exports reached $4.55bn in the year to March, up 8.3%.

A new project in the Hawke’s Bay is investigating the impacts of tile drains on horticultural land in order to ascertain their effect on freshwater quality.

Government policy on freshwater and greenhouse gases must support the horticulture industry and not add unnecessary cost and compliance, according to HortNZ.

The kiwifruit industry will need 24,000 seasonal workers in 2022, says New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc.

Six hundred new native plantings have been established in the Bay of Plenty to support kiwifruit pollination and encourage bio-diversity, says Plant & Food Research.

T&G Fresh is expecting to harvest around 500 tonnes of navel oranges over the next three weeks, after harvest started early this season.

New Zealand’s largest kiwifruit grower, Seeka, has bought a $2.6m minority stake in hort tech startup Fruitometry.

New Zealand Apples & Pears chief executive Alan Pollard says the horticulture industry is recognised globally as a leader in automated operations post-harvest but apple picking remains a stubbornly human task.

The legislation that replaces the Resource Management Act must ensure that New Zealand can sustainably grow fresh, healthy food for domestic consumption, according to Horticulture New Zealand.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc has reported on a successful kiwifruit industry harvest resulting in a record crop, despite a labour crisis caused by border closures restricting Working Holiday Visa holder numbers.

A study examining the effects of green kiwifruit on sleep quality and the sleep-wake cycle in healthy males has been awarded HVN funding.

Miniature apple company Rockit Global has expanded its footprint from Hawke’s Bay to Gisborne where it will now establish a management team, and potentially a new packhouse.

Zespri’s northern hemisphere kiwifruit crop for the 2020-21 season has been sold for $472m, up 27.9% on the previous season.

The packaging and produce sectors were blindsided by government’s 2023 plastic fruit stickers deadline, warn on costs, complexity.

The Kiwifruit Vine Health board is calling for nominations for one grower director for a term of three years.

The investor also says that its kiwifruit venture will soon start bearing fruit.

Leading packaging company JFS says government indecision and social pressures have driven food companies into a “holding pattern”.

MPI is consulting on issues such as the requirement for evaluation of organic food producers, proposed organic management plans, and the need for a listed public register of organics companies.

A South Island private equity firm is looking for more horticulture investments after finalising and funding a two-part deal which sees it become a major supplier and IP owner in New Zealand’s fruit tree market

T&G Global’s outgoing chairman, Professor Klaus Josef Lutz, said the fresh produce company is “primed to harness opportunities into the future” following a strategic programme of work carried out over his nine-year tenure.

DMS Progrowers is doubling the size of its existing Te Puke packhouse investing $40m into the project.

The board of global fresh produce company, T&G Global, has approved a fully imputed final dividend of 6 cents a share for the 2020 financial year.

Rural areas have done well but the year ahead may not be so rosy for some growers, says the bank.

NZ Apples and Pears Inc is encouraging apple industry employers to draw on new government funding to keep their workers employed during the winter season.

The High-Value Nutrition Ko Ngā Kai Whai Painga National Science Challenge has provided a $50,000 development grant to Hastings-based research and project management collaborator Foot Steps to investigate the Damson plum.

International food processing technology company, MHM Automation, has designed what it describes as world-leading robotic technology for apple company Rockit Global.

The growth is being driven by a big increase in exports to Australia – but that may not last, says NZ Avocado.

NZ Apples and Pears Inc’s chief executive of nine years, Alan Pollard, is to step down from his role later this year.

A 25-year-old orchard foreman at T&G Global has won the Hawke’s Bay Young Fruitgrower of the Year competition for the second time.

Kiwifuit company Seeka has delayed a decision on developing a new packhouse at Pukenga by pledging a $20m upgrade at an existing packhouse.

Rockit Global has officially opened its new global headquarters in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay, unveiling a a brand refresh at the same time.

The kiwifruit giant said it delivered record per tray returns across all categories in the 2020/2021 season.

Oversupply of fruit saw prices slump in the summer adding to what was described as a “challenging” season in Summerfruit NZ’s annual report.

Annual trade show and conference confirmed for 7-9 June despite Victoria lockdown.

New chief executive Colin Bond replaces outgoing boss Nikki Johnson.

Nelson Tasman grower and exporter, Luv’ya, has announced a brand refresh for its entire range of apples and pears.

Stakeholders from across NZ’s produce supply chain have come together to brainstorm the future of fresh food in Aotearoa, in an event hosted by pan-produce industry organisation United Fresh.

Miniature apple company Rockit Global is ready to cut the red ribbon on its new circa $40m global headquarters following a bumper harvest.

Zespri Group has appointed the former Goodman Fielder and Griffins Foods chief executive Alison Barrass to its board as an independent director.

The pandemic has highlighted NZ’s reliance on temporary migrant labour, says the government.

T&G Global’s chairman of nine years, Professor Klaus Josef Lutz, is to step down at the end of its annual meeting on 23 June 2021

But there are concerns over the costs of the scheme for employers.

Seeka has been officially welcomed to Ōpōtiki to celebrate its purchase of Ōpōtiki Packing and Cool Storage.

The total canopy area of gold kiwifruit has now surpassed that of the green variety, according to final agricultural production figures from Stats NZ.

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand is urging its member to attend upcoming Ministry for Primary Industries organic regulation and standards workshops.

Australia is the biggest export destination for New Zealand feijoas and there is real possibility for expansion, says New Zealand’s largest feijoa exporter.

The former New Zealand Apples & Pears chair will take over from Mike Chapman on 14 June.

A certificate of amalgamation is imminent, formalising the kiwifruit specialists’ deal.

Eight-year old Marlborough herb and lettuce hydroponics business Thymebank has been put up for sale.

Summerfruit NZ has opened registration for the Growing strong – Success in a changing world conference.

OIO approves T&G Global purchase of an 11-hectare Hawke’s Bay site to grow more Envy apples.

Five horticulture heavyweight’s have thrown their name in the ring for two existing vacancies on the Horticulture New Zealand board.

Five ships carrying 28,000 cartons of T&G Global’s Envy apples are on their way to Asia.

The dumping of frozen fries from Europe is not a threat to local industry, says a draft government report.

The co-op says the preliminary result compared to last year’s range of $300m-$305m.

Forecasts for the next avocado crop are bullish, while growing sales sees persimmons as the new kid on the chopping block.

The Government must act now to retain remaining highly productive land for fruit and vegetables.

A Mexican national has been jailed for smuggling 113kg of methamphetamine in a shipment of avocado pulp.

Seeka is a step closer to buying kiwifruit rival Ōpōtiki Packing and Coolstorage.

Horticulture New Zealand is welcoming Horizons Regional Council’s decision to adopt recommendations on its Plan Change 2.

Leanne Stewart replaces outgoing CEO Stu Hutchings.

Seeka’s proposed $60m purchase of rival kiwifruit company Opotiki Packing and Cool Storage would create New Zealand’s largest kiwifruit grower with annual revenue of £300m – but it is far from a done deal.

The new blueberry varieties will be able to be grown year round in Australia.

T&G Fresh has begun harvesting the first of this season’s satsuma mandarins, with good weather conditions bringing an earlier harvest than usual for the fruit.

Zespri has been placed in a trading halt on the USX to allow the finalisation of the 2021 Gold3 and Zespri Red tender process.

The New Zealand avocado industry has grown from a high of $68m in 2011 to a forecast of over $200m in 2020, according to NZ Avocado..

The industry association says horticulture can play a key role in the country’s climate change strategy.

Temporary Covid-19 immigration powers will be extended to May 2023, in part to help industries facing labour shortages.

With its 8,250 established trees, the orchard had a forecast for this season of 90,000 trays.

The producer is utilising the technology to train Hawke’s Bay locals to fill roles across its orchards, packhouses and cool stores.

T&G Global has shipped its first lot of new season JAZZ apples to global markets.

The bank described the December 2020 quarter results as a tale of two islands as the north continued to outperform the south.

If passed, the legislation would require that all aircrafts entering NZ provide biosecurity information to people onboard by both a video and in writing.

The Bay of Plenty-based company is looking to expand its footprint in the kiwifruit sector.

The inaugural Annual Southern Hemisphere Fresh Fruit Trade congress takes place today.

The association fears new housing policy will see productive growing land lost to urban creep.

Zespri is progressing its plan to move against the unlawful growing of kiwifruit in China as illegal plantings increase.

Woolworths NZ Ltd is recalling a specific batch of its Snap Frozen Cauliflower Rice as the product could contain pieces of wood.

Huge losses are forecast for the New Zealand apple and pear industry, according to New Zealand Apples and Pears Inc.

The Government is failing to support New Zealand’s horticulture sector as it faces a worker shortage crisis, according to the National Party.

Organic food businesses will have to take part in a five-step process in order to gain organic certification under new proposals.

T&G Global is using eight new automated picking platforms this apple season to help improve productivity and safety.

“Hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for apple, wine and other growers was a near certainty.”

Access to fruit and vegetables and food security was in the spotlight at Wednesday’s launch of the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables.

The Commission released its draft advice to the Government on climate change action and is now consulting on it.

Fine weather will bring an earlier harvest than usual for the feijoa sector.

Hawke’s Bay apple producer Rockit Global completes a capital raise bringing in new investor Ngâi Tahu Holdings.

The 2021 kiwifruit season has begun, forecast to overtake last year’s last year’s record of 157 million trays of export green and gold.

A new purpose-built mobile Crop Registration app for tomato growers has been launched by ag-tech firm Waybeyond.

The Te Puke-based produce handler more than doubled its annual profit in FY20.

The workers will be placed at orchards and vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury and the upper South Island.

A “challenging and disruptive year” pushed revenue and profit down.

The New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc is offering a harvest “taster day” to tempt job seekers to take up employment in the kiwifruit industry.

The vacancies came as two directors will retire by rotation this year.

Venture Taranaki will host its second Branching Out event, Avocados: The Taranaki Opportunity.

Immigration New Zealand is doing more harm than good when it comes to the horticulture sector and the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme, according to the ACT Party. “A completely inflexible MORE »

Zespri’s first charter shipment of New Zealand fruit is due to depart in March.

The sector had brought a claim for $450m plus interest.

Horticulture New Zealand is calling on the Government to establish protection for highly productive land.

A difficult 2020 has seen the the industry demonstrate its resilience, says Zespri chair Bruce Cameron.

The Te Puke-based company said the dividend would be paid on 27 January 2021 to all holders of ordinary shares.

The integrated, family-owned horticultural company was taken to court by the local council.

The Future Ready Farms programme is being led by Ballance Agri-Nutrients.

Air NZ’s cargo business will deliver around five million kilograms of food over summer.

New research backed by MPI could help bee hives live longer and be more efficient.

AGMARDT increased its investment in agricultural, horticultural and forestry businesses to $3.6m in the year to June 2020.

The corn is said to have multi-pesticide resistance.

As air freight costs soared due to Covid-19 border closures, so did the price of exporting.

Zespri has outlined its sustainability strategy to the Sustainable Business Council.

Carol Ward has been appointed chief grower, industry and sustainability officer.

Rajasekar Chellappa, former owner of Raj Kiwi, failed to pay minimum wage to six workers.

The kiwifruit exporter gets the go-ahead for a sale and leaseback deal, unlocking more profit for the year.

Diversified agribusiness group will pay 9.5c interim dividend and affirms previous guidance.

The kiwifruit exporter and the Crown Research Institute already have a 30 year working relationship together under their belts.

The party’s leader David Seymour says the government should work with the region’s horticulturists.

Summerfruit NZ says growers have received more job applications than usual for this time of year.

A state-funded initiative will see 26 million servings of fresh fruit and veges dished out at low decile school.

Fairgrow aims to help get fresh products to Kiwis in need in the wake of Covid-19.

The Science New Zealand 2020 National Awards were held on Thursday night.

Growers in Northland and Waikato have also been invited to enter.

Sale and leaseback of Nayland site will see fresh produce giant plough $50m of firepower into its growth strategy.

Online tool identifies pests, threats for exporters selling Kiwi produce to the world

The new research covers food groups ranging from seafood to berries.

Christchurch Airport will see a boost in cargo flights this summer following more Government support for the International Air Freight Capacity (IAFC) scheme.

Independent auditors will be evaluating growers to ensure they are treating their staff fairly.

An assessment on the region’s land and climate has identified around 207,000 hectares which could be used.

New Zealand Winegrowers say exports to key international markets have increased “beyond expectations”.

Up to $200 a week for accommodation costs is on offer, plus a $1000 payment for some.

Growers are relieved by the government’s announcement that a cohort of Registered Seasonal Employer workers will arrive in the New Year.

Horticulture and wine growers across the country will see labour shortages ease.

She is the first woman in the position in the organisation’s 40-years.

A two-year project will look at the viability of the industry, worth more than $100m to NZ a year.

A date has been set by the group, in an NZX announcement made on Thursday.

Hawke’s Bay horticulture and viticulture sectors worked together on a plan delivered to government last week.

In a blow to the horticulture sector, the PM says this year’s seasonal labour shortage will not be solved before Christmas.

Developing new high-value dairy and nutritional products and two global opportunities identified in the landmark report.

It’s one of New Zealand’s biggest commercial macadamia nut orchards.

The new tool will give New Zealand consumers and producers verified data about primary sector products.

Bay of Plenty-based Fruition Horticulture has announced the new diploma.

Extra funding has been given to the Kerikeri Gateway Horticulture Schools Programme.

Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand’s primary industries will “directly benefit” from the new trade deal.

The department says prices tend to fall in October as fruit and vegetables follow seasonal trend.

The Renwick wine trail is in its final stages of construction.

Strawberry exports have been restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The new scanner is being trialled at Auckland Airport to help ramp up protection.

It’s the first of around 100 PGF loans and equity investments worth over $600m to be paid back.

Bay of Plenty’s Mount Pack & Cool plans to expand its operations in 2021.

A new Plant & Food Research project will investigate the bacteria.

Horticulture New Zealand says it is keen to work constructively with the new Government, including minister Damien O’Conner who has been given the new trade and export growth portfolio.

As prime picking time looms near the horticulture industry remains concerned about RSE shortages.

The Provincial Growth Fund has earmarked $825,000 for a Māori co-operative to convert an unused Northland block into an organic farm.

Eight million punnets of blueberries were eaten by New Zealanders last year.

Increased popularity in plant-based meat substitutes could create opportunities for producers in NZ.

With the likes of Sir David Attenborough advocating for it, plant-based eating is becoming less of a trend, and more of a to-do.

The award celebrates his contributions to fruit variety development.

Hawke’s Bay has a “short window of time” to act against climate change.

Zespri intends to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with government officials in China .

It’s been added to the list for reassessment.

It comes as demand for the variety across the globe remains strong.

Twenty thousand children across 250 schools are taking part in a Zespri Young and Healthy Virtual Adventure.

Kiwifruit Vine Health and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council will work together.

The kiwifruit co-op is bolstering its shipping fleet by adding three new vessels.

Fruit growers are being connected to students across the country looking for summer fruit picking work.

A new water storage reservoir in Northland could see horticulture opportunities in the region grow.

Zespri and Synlait have been named as finalists in the Deloitte Top 200 Awards for 2020. The kiwifruit co-op has been nominated for two awards, Company of the Year and MORE »

Tairāwhiti’s Wi Pere Trust is receiving a PDU loan from the latest round of Provincial Growth Funding.

Kiwifruit production could be optimised by upping the female flowers in an orchard.

Zespri’s chief executive Dan Mathieson has been appointed to the Produce Marketing Association Board.

A growers employment expo and information session is being held in Hawke’s Bay next month.

Organic certifier BioGro NZ is aiming to simplify the certification process.

Comvita has reported “strong” results in its first quarter, posting double-digit revenue growth.

Higher vegetable prices have contributed to a 0.7% increase in the Consumers Price Index (CPI.

Zespri has started a procurement trial in China to try and combat illegal plantings of its SunGold kiwifruit.

The horticulture sector will benefit from the latest Provincial Growth Fund drop.

A Waikato berry farm believes the answer to seasonal worker shortages this year could be for Kiwis to pick their own fruit.

An avocado orchard in Whangarei is for sale.

Thousands of Kiwi children are beginning a five-week Zespri-led virtual adventure promoting the importance of taking care of themselves and the environment.  The Zespri Young and Health Virtual Adventure began on MORE »

NZTE has launched a new global campaign to showcase the country’s food and beverage industry.

Māori development projects based in the Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti are set to receive nearly $5m in Provincial Growth Fund support.

Two apple orchards and a food and beverage company are set to benefit from a $4.1m Provincial Growth Fund investment in the Hawke’s Bay.

Following a three-month-long sourcing process, Zespri has confirmed its sampling and maturity clearance testing providers.

The majority of kūmara varieties may not survive rising global temperatures, according to new international research. Peruvian and French researchers from the International Potato Centre tested nearly 2,000 sweet potato MORE »

Zespri says it is placing further focus on the “critical” role of innovation and realigning its business towards growth.

Covid-19 has driven the price of tomatoes to an all-time high, according to Stats NZ.