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New Zealand

Apple harvest progresses in Hawke's Bay - gold kiwifruit coming from Bay of Plenty

There's a nice volume of gold kiwifruit coming off in Bay of Plenty and their quality is good. There are plenty of avos too, but with low returns things are not looking so rosy there for growers. The labour shortage seen in recent years appears to have abated with a steady supply of RSE workers.

In Hawke's Bay, the apple harvest is in progress, with expectations to continue for approximately another month. The region is experiencing a notable quality in this year's produce, characterized by apples with enhanced crunch, flavor, and color. The availability of labor has facilitated the picking and packing processes. Conversely, pastoral farmers in the area are desiring rainfall. The agricultural sector is also observing the completion of squash and onion harvests, with maize harvesting anticipated to commence shortly. Arable farmers are facing challenges due to low grain prices. Additionally, the sector is grappling with the implications of rising interest rates, with an instance of a 400-hectare farm incurring an additional $90,000 in interest expenses this year.

In Wairarapa, conditions are notably dry, though not to the extent of the worst historical droughts. Despite the adversities, the general sentiment among farmers remains stable, albeit strained by the dual pressures of escalating costs and diminishing returns.

Source: rnz.co.nz

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