Kiwifruit sales for 2018 look likely to near the $3 billion mark, as export marketer Zespri closes in on its 2025 global sales target of $4.5 billion. Final sales totals won't be firmed up until March, but chief executive Dan Mathieson said the forecast is shaping to be $2.8b to $2.9b.
While the 2025 goal looks well within reach, Mathieson cautioned there were challenges ahead "in terms of making sure we continue to have good, sustainable growth as gold (fruit) volumes start to come on more and more. But seeing the strong demand gives us confidence."
Sales for the previous, 2017, season were $2.5b. Indicative estimates based on trays sold suggest 2018 season sales to Japan, Zespri's biggest market, jumped 20 per cent on the previous year, while Korea sales were up 32 per cent, Southeast Asia 11 per cent and China 15 per cent.
According to nzherald.co.nzΒΈ sales in Zespri's fledgling North American market are estimated to be up 56 per cent on 2017. The total fruit and service payment to Zespri growers, across all grower pools and excluding loyalty premiums, is forecast to be $1769.5 million, compared with $1753.2m forecast in December.
