Business Central September 2021

42 | A plum of a job in the Hawke’s Bay T T Kelly Deeks Russells’ Plums has 13,000 tress growing about 600 tons of plums. Central Hawke’s Bay: MJ Russell Ltd “There are always challenges when you live and work on the land.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT F resh from the Hawke’s Bay, Russells’ Plums is proud to provide a super nutritious and delicious snack in its own edible wrapper. Mike and Julie Russell have been riding the roller coaster as growers since they met while studying horticulture at Massey University 40 years ago. They have grown apples, pears, nectarines, peaches, asparagus, tomatoes, peas, beans, maize, sweetcorn, olives, and even gherkins. While they are still diversified today, the anthocyanin-rich red-fleshed plums are where it’s at. “It’s been a hell of a ride,” Mike says. “There are always challenges when you live and work on the land, but there is nothing better than seeing a bountiful harvest of bright, ripe, sun- kissed plums heading down the driveway.” Russells’ Plums has 13,000 tress growing about 600 tons of plums, a mix of varieties in- cluding PrimeTime, Fortune, Malone, Angelino, Omega, as well as the good old Black Doris to fill the cans at Watties so Kiwis can enjoy that plum goodness all year ’round. In recent years, Mike and Julie have exper- imented with new growing techniques that have resulted in phenomenal yields from trees that are only three years old. They are also examining the research into the health benefits of anthocyanin-rich red plums. “The big positive that has come out of Covid is an increase in people’s appetites for healthy and sustainable eating,” Mike says. “The healthy aspect of fruit and vegies is a very pos- itive feature of Covid, and we are now starting to see some pick-up in that space.” Mike says Russells’ Plums isn’t in competi- tion with other summer fruits and vegetables, its main competition is processed snack foods. “Our plums are a healthy and nutritious snack food with a wrapper you can eat.” He says the blueberry industry has done ground-breaking research and is doing a great job in its resultant marketing around the health benefits of eating red-fleshed fruit. The anthocyanins that provide the colour in red-fleshed fruit are antioxidants and while studies are still ongoing, research has so far indicated a strong link between anthocyanins and increased longevity, cardiovascular health, and the prevention of cancer and dementia. “We have tested our red-fleshed plums and found they contain higher levels of anthocy- anins and antioxidants than non-red-fleshed fruit. The Black Doris is higher in antioxidants than other varieties.” Covid of course had detrimental effects on New Zealand growers. The lockdown se- verely reduced the number of fresh produce outlets able to supply fruit and vegetables to consumers, United Fresh’s Fruit & Vegeta- bles in Schools initiative that was on hold, no cruise liners were undertaking their prove- doring, and the shut-down of the food service industry all had a damaging effect on the New Zealand fresh produce market. Today the fresh produce market is strug- gling with labour issues, and it is Mike and Julie’s biggest current challenge. “We’ve got four full time staff and we go up to 30 pickers in the summer, and we have worked in with a very reliable labour contractor to ensure we can pick our fruit on the right day. It has to be picked on the right day. If we pick it a day or two early or late and produce a substandard product, the customer won’t come back.” Proudly part of the MJ Russell journey – We’re not just about the numbers! l ll j ’ j ! PKF Carr & Stanton - we’re locally owned, internationally connected and outcome focused ’ l ll , i i ll Driving business success – it’s just what we do! i i i i ’ j ! Contact us for help on your journey. info@pkfcs.co.nz www.pkfcs.co.nz