Delroy Orchards has been producing Western Australia’s only locally grown kiwi fruit since 1988. This year, production will exceed 4,000,000 pieces of vine-ripened kiwi fruit as a result of new techniques applied by a new generation of orchardists.
Four years back, company owner Russell Delroy witnessed declining yields and increasing production costs due to ageing vines. However, he was able to reinvigorate the orchard’s 10,000 ageing vines. Meticulously pruning of the old wood from the 10,000 vines along 25km of trellis was a first start, followed by carefully nurturing the new growth through spring and summer. The result was bumper yields for harvests ever since.
The Delroy team continues to improve farm management techniques to ensure optimal fruit quality. Vine ripening of their kiwi fruits has created greater flavor and a naturally sweeter eating experience.
According to haveagonews.com.au, other kiwi fruit producers around Australia and New Zealand strip pick and cool-store fruit. Vine ripening is a more labour intensive picking process but Delroy Orchards is committed to delivering the freshest, sweetest and most flavoursome kiwi fruit to consumers.