| 3 RURAL PEOPLE » Mark Mayston Challenging times for kiwifruit growers Incessant rain, labour shortages and the growing gold kiwifruit industry in China are posing big challenges for the New Zealand kiwifruit industry, says NZKGI chair, Mark Mayston. Ange Davidson It’s been a tough couple of years for kiwifruit growers with excessive rainfall compounding Covid related labour shortages and supply chain issues alongside changes to industry wide environmental regulations. Chair of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI), Mark Mayston, says the industry experienced a labour shortfall of around 6,000 seasonal workers last year, which forced them to change the harvesting process contributing to poorer fruit quality. The fruit’s quality was also hampered by amount of rain across New Zealand’s kiwifruit orchards. “In Tauranga we had our annual rainfall by March this year. It made the growing season extremely difficult due to a lack of sunshine hours and waterlogged soil. We’re seeing lots of dead vines around as they’re under continuous stress from water,” says Mark. NZKGI advocates for the country’s 2800 kiwifruit growers at a government level as well as providing practical support for growers as the industry grows and changes. It’s mission: to advocate, protect and enhance the commercial and political interests of New Zealand kiwifruit growers. Another challenge facing the organisation is the growing gold kiwifruit industry in China where illegal plantings are now well established. “At present, the gold fruit quality grown in China is variable. China has a big local economy and the fruit is largely sold in this market so it has negligible impact on our exports. However, over time, the Chinese will get better at growing. We need to understand our market in China and find out where it’s at,” believes Mark. “We want to have our IP secure and although the horse has already bolted in a lot of cases, we’re seeing movement in China with companies selling at a commercial level. We need to stop this, and we’re talking with government about supporting Zespri. It’s a work in progress.” Chile are also strong growers of kiwifruit and operate in the same growing season as New Zealand. World-wide, the supply of kiwifruit has dropped in the past couple of years with Chile also dealing with tough climatic changes, but the global demand remains strong. There is a huge demand for Vitamin C rich foods in Asia and Europe, with kiwifruit being a key product people eat everyday for its health and digestive attributes. In New Zealand, green kiwifruit is at an all-time low, with gold kiwifruit production now double its green counterpart and a 1/3 more gold will be in production next year. “Green kiwifruit is the backbone of our industry. But we’re also lucky to have the Zespri SunGoldcultivar which has reinvigorated the industry since Psa pretty much levelled green production after it was found in 2010. Almost 8,000 hectares have beenplanted and grafted since its commercialisa- Parts and Service for Farm & Orchard Equipment 07 548 0194 info@equipmentcentre.co.nz 1109 State Highway 2, Whakamarama, Tauranga tion in 2012 and each year we are releasing more SunGold licences,” he says. “There are so many opportunities within this industry. We’re seeing great jobs at all levels that are verywell paid. Kiwifruit is one of the country’s horticulture success stories and an exciting industry to be part of.”
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