Another record-breaking year of exports is expected in 2021 as
New Zealand kicks off its kiwifruit season.
Last year’s record of 157 million trays of export Green and Gold is expected to be topped, reports New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated.
The Gold variety is usually picked first, followed by Green kiwifruit in late March. Harvest peaks in mid-April and runs through until June.
Following the Green and Gold kiwifruit, Zespri’s sweet, the berry-tinged tasting Red kiwifruit, which goes primarily to supermarkets in New Zealand, will be exported to some overseas markets this year.
New Zealand has some 2,800 growers who produce kiwifruit across more than 32,000 acres of orchards between Kerikeri in the north and Motueka in the south.