Media release:
Voting opens at 9am today for Zespri Kiwifruit growers who are being asked to support the expansion of Zespri’s Global Supply (ZGS) business via a Producer Vote.
New Zealand kiwifruit growers are being asked to support the allocation of up to 420 additional hectares of SunGold Kiwifruit per year over six years across Italy, France, Japan, South Korea, and Greece, subject to annual review by the Zespri Board to confirm forecast demand remains ahead of supply and the provision of annual reporting to growers. The proposal has been co-developed with the industry following an extensive engagement process.
Zespri’s recently released Five-Year Outlook document confirmed that demand for kiwifruit remains strong, although competition continues to intensify. Zespri CEO, Jason Te Brake, comments on the importance of the Producer Vote in the context of this positive outlook.
“Strong demand continues to support New Zealand grower returns and has driven the increased expansion of SunGold licence available to New Zealand growers in 2025 and beyond. But with our competitors strengthening, we need to fill more of the supply-demand gap in the non-New Zealand season to be able to provide 12-month supply to our key customers and consumers, building our brand while holding our shelf space and value until New Zealand kiwifruit returns to market each year.
“Planting more SunGold hectares in the northern hemisphere is a crucial part of our plans to deliver this and to maintain our position in the category. Having spent a lot of time on the ground with our customers in the last few months, it’s very clear they want more of our kiwifruit, but if they can’t buy from us, they’ll look elsewhere.
“This could put our premium and ultimately New Zealand grower returns at risk over time. There’s been a huge amount of engagement with the industry on the issue and the proposal which very clearly reflects grower views. There is strong support and we’re encouraging growers to vote to ensure they have their say,” concludes Mr Te Brake.
The Zespri Five-Year Outlook is available here, and an overview of the 2024 Producer Vote is available here. Eligible producers can cast their votes at www.electionz.com/zespri24.
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