| 13 T T Sue Russell Celebrating 10 years Berry Farms NZ is a part of the RD8 Fresh Produce Group and grows a substantial portion of blackberries for the domestic market. Berry Farms NZ Congratulations to Berry Farms on a decade of innovation and success. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT This year marks the 10th anniversary of the founding of Berry Farms NZ, and as the name suggests, the business is in the business of growing a range of berries for local and overseas consumption. Berry Farms NZ, is a part of the RD8 Fresh Produce Group and grows a substantial portion of blackberries for the domestic market, a figure upward of 90% of New Zealand’s production. Raspberries amount to approximately 40% while good volumes of strawberries complete the offering. The plants are sourced from their sister company The Fresh Berry Company, which has the New Zealand agency of global supplier Driscoll’s, with berries grown inside tunnel houses in a special substrate allowing picking to occur through a nine month period. General Manager, Johnny Milmine was happy to say the shadow of the devastation wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle had very much faded. “I was pleased with how we managed the disruption and loss Gabrielle brought and we’ve been enjoying a productive season to date.” Johnny says there are three peak periods of activity during the year. Winter is when the farms are reset, this includes pruning of raspberries and blackberries, the removal and replanting of the strawberry fields, and general farm maintenance. Then there’s the first flush of fruit from October to Christmas. “January can be a bit quieter and now, in February, we’re a couple of weeks into the second flush, which peaks in March.” Each season is distinct, with this season starting with a very warm and dry spring. “If you did what you did last year you will get it wrong, every year is different. That’s the challenge and the interesting aspect about food production.” Johnny says to date quality has been outstanding. A couple of new genetics have been introduced, one strawberry, one raspberry, and these are performing well. Driscoll’s has a very large global R&D spend and each year they development new genetics and, consequently, as new species are created, Berry Farms NZ has access to them. When Driscoll’s introduce a new variety, it must be three things: marketable, economic and taste great. Johnny’s in his sixth year with Berry Farms NZ and says one thing he’s most proud of is the strong team culture that’s been forged. “Each year we’ve got better and better quality and yields and that needs a great team of people on the ground supporting that to happen. I see how hard they work and how much they are invested in the success of this business.” Berry Farms NZ have aligned with a specialist horticultural labour contractor to take care of recruitment and care of staff. Johnny says, given their expertise, this works very well. Most of the team have been with the company several years, meaning as each season comes around and especially at the busy peak times, there’s a pool of experience to draw on. There’s growth too ahead, as sister company, The Fresh Berry Company, is focussing on developing more plots. Come end of harvest the plan is to hold a celebration to mark the decade in business. “We’ll certainly pause and acknowledge where we’ve come to in these 10 years, through some pretty challenging times. It’s something the team and I are very much looking forward to.” Audit & Assurance Improve the value and sustainability of your business. We believe independent auditors perform the valuable role of being a trusted intermediary between the providers of business information and the users of that information. We have expertise across various business sectors, from family-owned businesses and Charities, Not-for-Profit entities, Education providers and specialist Maori Incorporations. With this experience we are ready to add value to your business. Whanganui | Ohakune | Turangi Talk to us today 06 349 0466 www.pkfdoyles.co.nz Audit | Review | Agreed upon procedures
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