As the kiwifruit export returns exceed $3 billion, an increasing number of Māori landowners are transitioning into kiwifruit cultivation. The export revenue for the Gold variety of kiwifruit has reached $2.4 billion, marking a 24 percent increase from the previous year, while the green variety has seen a 9.9 percent rise, totaling $737 million. Anaru Timutimu, chair of Māori Kiwifruit Growers, highlighted a recovery post-Covid with a 20 percent surge in volume over the last year, emphasizing the production of high-quality fruit.
Timutimu pointed out the critical role of soil quality and water availability in the success of kiwifruit cultivation, noting that Māori growers are predominantly located in areas rich in these resources, especially in the Bay of Plenty region. This region, including Te Puke and Tauranga, has been a traditional base for Māori in the kiwifruit industry for over 40 years, now witnessing an expansion as more Māori landowners engage in kiwifruit production. However, Timutimu identified the high costs of establishment and the auctioned licenses as the primary obstacles to further Māori participation in the kiwifruit industry.
Source: Waatea News