Bay of Plenty based kiwifruit and avocado packhouse and coolstore cooperative Satara is reporting a steady result from 2009 with a dividend of two cents per investor share to be paid in April.
As well as this dividend a rebate of 20 cents per Transactor Class I tray will be paid.

Satara CEO Wes Anderson-Smith attributes this steady result to debt reduction of $4 million, further supported by the sale of Wedgwood Street property in Katikati for $1.1 million.
Wes says this stronger balance sheet gives the company the financial flexibility to invest in its services, modernise its infrastructure and maintain its focus on long term strategic goals.
“We have taken a responsible course. We have found ways to slim the organisation down, while continuing to do all we can to drive grower returns. We are ensuring the company is as fit and healthy as it can be to drive value into the future.”
The overall focus of the company, however, remains to maximise grower returns, says Wes.
“Fruit loss is a key metric for the company to manage, but it is not the only one. Satara’s focus is to ensure all value-add aspects of a grower’s return are maximised to drive the OGR per hectare.”
At 1.47 per cent, Satara’s Gold fruit loss for 2009 was low and superior to any other post-harvest operator in the Bay of Plenty, says Wes. Satara’s Gold growers had an orchard gate return (OGR) well above the 2009 industry average.  
Hail damage impacted the Green fruit loss but regardless of this, Wes says, Satara achieved a huge 50 per cent improvement on the previous year.
“Satara is readying itself for these challenges and, through our strengthened balance sheet, focus on efficiency, and strategic initiatives, we are in a good position for the years ahead.”