Zespri kiwifruit growers will collectively earn $155.8 million more than last season, based on the exporter's latest forecast.

Zespri Chairman Peter McBride says the total fruit and service payment, across all pools and excluding the loyalty premium, is currently forecast at $1,071.6 million.

Kiwifruit growers are set to earn over $155 million more than last season. Photo: File.

'This is an increase of $155.8 million versus the $915.8 million achieved in 2014/15,” explains Peter.

Yesterday the board approved its August forecast and Peter says it shows that the orchard gate returns for each grower pool (green, gold, organic green and green14) are within the ranges Zespri announced in July.

The August 2015 forecast for green of $4.87 per tray sits at the lower end of the range of the July forecast of $4.80 - $5.20.

However, the substantial increase in average orchard productivity this year has resulted in the August 2015 forecast per hectare return of $53,841, which is close to the same record return level achieved in 2014/15, adds Peter.

The August forecast for gold orchard gate return is $7.76, which is at the mid-point of the July range of $7.60 - $7.90.

Green organic is forecast at $6.75 per tray (July range $6.70 - $7.00), while Green14 is at $6.69 (July range $6.50 - $7.10).