Zespri forecasts strong returns for growers

Zespri’s forecast for the 2025-26 season has the kiwifruit marketer on track to deliver strong value to growers in another record crop year.

CEO Jason Te Brake said average returns for green, sweet green, organic green and organic SunGold kiwifruit are now forecast to exceed last year’s record.

“This reflects this season’s increased yields, improvements in our green and RubyRed fruit size, and additional SunGold kiwifruit and RubyRed kiwifruit volume from newly producing orchards," he said. “We have another bumper crop of more than 200 million trays from New Zealand this season and our sales programs have started well, particularly in Europe and North America where we’ve seen strong demand."

Zespri has shipped more than 110 million trays of Zespri kiwifruit,which is over half this season’s total crop.

“Our industry is creating significant value for growers and grower shareholders and the communities they support, and the outlook is positive with strong demand," he said. "We are currently developing our 2035 strategy to set our sights on the next 10 years and how we ensure we are best positioned to deliver the greatest value to New Zealand growers.

“Aligning the commercial interests of growers — i.e. ensuring all growers and shareholders clearly see the benefit to them in new opportunities — will be critical to this," he said. "With strong demand and the industry continuing to perform well we are making the right steps set ourselves up for the future and we’re committed to continuing to do so.”