As the new citrus season begins, New Zealand growers are anticipating a more stable performance compared to previous years, following several challenging seasons for the sector.
Ian Albers, chair of Citrus NZ, said growers are cautiously optimistic. "Gisborne and Kerikeri remain the largest citrus-producing regions, with smaller contributions from the Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay. Typically, Kerikeri's fruit enters the market slightly ahead of Gisborne's, although the two often overlap."
Despite some inconsistencies in crop development across regions, there are signs of strong yields in certain areas. "We're seeing good crops in parts of Gisborne, although some orchards are still recovering from the effects of fluctuating weather — a hot, dry start to summer followed by a cooler, wetter period from late December to January," Albers said.
The season has already seen the arrival of new season limes, while Satsuma mandarins are expected to be available by mid-April. Lemons and grapefruit will follow as the country moves further into winter.
Navel oranges, particularly those from Northland, are set to begin harvesting in July. Albers noted that limes have become increasingly available throughout the season as domestic supply has expanded, while Satsuma mandarins remain a consistently popular product, valued for their ease of peeling and seedless flesh.
New Zealand cultivates several Satsuma varieties, many originally from Japan, which ripen at different times. This helps extend the availability of the fruit into late July or early August.
Citrus fruit continues to be recognised for its nutritional content, offering high levels of vitamin C along with other nutrients such as vitamin B6, folate, potassium, and dietary fibre. Citrus also contains flavonoids and carotenoids, which have long been associated with various health benefits.
The industry is still recovering from the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle, which significantly impacted crops two years ago. Growers across the country have worked to adapt and rebuild, aiming for a more consistent and productive 2025 season.
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