The New Zealand apple and pear season is underway with light volume and reports show optimism for the season ahead.
The pear harvest started the last week of January, with apples getting underway the last half of February. Most packers will start running Galas at the end of Feburary with peak volumes expected the first half of March.
An official estimate has yet to be released, but the industry expects to easily match the 23million cartons of apples packed in 2022.
Vanguard International of Issauah, WA reports the spring was hotter than normal with fair amounts of rains to counter any of the potential negative effects of the heat. Recent weather has been hot and dry, but starting mid-January, there was milder weather and rain that should allow trees to catch a break from the heat, stabilize, and recuperate. Sizing is expected to be one size larger than in 2021 across all varieties.
Vanguard was founded in 1991 and is a leading global vertically-integrated fresh fruit growing, packing, marketing, and sales organization with several branches located around the world.