Week 10

After a couple of weeks of concern, it appears as if a relative calm has arrived – NZ Avocado packed numbers published last night seem to align with what the market is reporting in terms of available stock numbers and subsequent values.

We noted in our previous update that there was a considerable volume of non-forecasted fruit in smaller count sizes due to hit the market and the last 3 to 4 weeks has seen the brunt of that.

Values in sizes 32 to 42 have been dismal and we made a call to send product to oil at some of the values available. On a positive note, the lower values in the small counts did not cause any impact to values in sizes 16 to 28, given the massive variance between the pricing range this was a potential issue.

As we look forward to next week and beyond, we will see an increase in harvest activity now that late export over run fruit has cleared through – values have lifted as listed below and demand remains very good across the retail programmes.

We are starting to field some enquiry about harvest of Reeds, if values continue to be stable then we will look at some activity as fruit becomes ready.

There needs to be a word of caution however – there remains a significant volume of orchards with only small fruit to harvest, in some cases just sizes 36 & 42. Values in these sizes are still marginal and any surplus supply will continue to see prices hold at barely economic returns. If you are in this position, please discuss that with Rick & Steven prior to planning any harvest.

New Zeafruit Employee

After a week in retirement Rick Hannay is back on the avocado visitation beat as he introduces and inducts Steven Merriman into our business and does the rounds visiting growers & packers.

Steven will initially focus on the BOP region as he finds his feet and I will manage growers in the Mid & Far North regions until we can get up and visit in April. Stevens contact details are Steven.m@zeafruit.co.nz or 0272703794