While kiwifruit orchards were battered in summer storms, a bumper season is still predicted.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) chief executive Colin Bond says despite periods of rough weather across New Zealand’s kiwifruit regions, overall crops have been given a reasonable opportunity to grow and are forecast to reach a new record production of just over 221 million trays of kiwifruit.

This volume is slightly more than last season’s record-breaking crop of almost 217 million trays. On average, each tray has around 30 pieces of kiwifruit.

“The loss of life from January’s severe weather in the Bay of Plenty has been devastating for all those impacted, and our thoughts are first with the families, whānau and communities affected,” Colin says.

“Against this backdrop, there have also been impacts on the kiwifruit industry which are still unfolding.”

He says these weather effects have been highly localised, with low-lying orchards mostly exposed.

“Slips and surface flooding have been the primary issues for orchards, although road access and logistics have been potentially greater challenges for some growers, particularly as harvest draws nearer for them.”

Colin says growers from Northland to the top of the South Island experienced issues with wind, rain and hail throughout the season and will be relieved to get their fruit off the vines.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated chief executive Colin Bond. Photo / Supplied

While NZKGI, the wider industry and its partners are supporting growers who were affected by surface flooding and slips, he says the total number affected is relatively small and will not have a significant impact on this year’s production.

Growers as well as the local communities across New Zealand that profit from the success of New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry will breathe a collective sigh of relief when the fruit comes off the vines, says Colin.

Export earner

Kiwifruit is New Zealand’s largest horticultural export and in 2024/25, contributed some $3 billion to the regions where it is grown.

Colin says strong demand means the New Zealand kiwifruit industry is experiencing rapid growth, with sales expected to jump from $4.9b (211.6 million trays) in 2026 to $6.2b (239.7 million trays) in 2030.

New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry is horticulture’s largest export, with more than 2800 kiwifruit growers’ orchards located from Kerikeri to Motueka.

The Bay of Plenty region again led the way in grower returns (orchard gate return) through 2024/25, with Te Puke topping the list at $698 million.

Next up was Tauranga with $320m, Katikati $285m, Ōpōtiki $261m, Pukehina $212m, Paengaroa $194m, Whakatāne $176m, Maniatutu $156m, Maketū $124m, Waikato $100m and Waihī $34m.

Kiwifruit marketer Zespri’s sweet, berry-tinged tasting RubyRed is the first variety picked for supermarket shelves in New Zealand and some overseas markets, followed shortly after by the Gold and Green varieties.

The harvest traditionally peaks in mid-April and runs through until June.

Zespri chief executive Jason Te Brake says it’s exciting to see the 2026/27 harvest getting underway, with growers positive about how fruit is looking.

“We’ve started 2026 on the back of Zespri’s largest ever crop and strong global demand.

“With another large crop of Zespri Green, SunGold and RubyRed Kiwifruit to deliver to our 50 markets around the world, our focus will be on fruit quality through a smooth, consistent harvest as that’s key to maximising value,” says Jason.

Strong season

“Our customers and teams in market are coming off a strong Northern Hemisphere season, which sets us up well for the New Zealand season, with our markets looking forward to receiving New Zealand-grown fruit and sales getting underway in the coming months.”

Zespri also recently released its final forecast for the 2025/26 season, with forecast per-hectare returns at record levels for all fruit categories.

Zespri chief executive Jason Te Brake. Photo / Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media

Jason says forecast per-tray returns have increased from the November forecast for Zespri Green, Organic Green and Organic SunGold, with returns exceeding the top end of the November ranges.

Zespri SunGold, Sweet Green and RubyRed forecast per tray returns remain in line with the November forecast.

He says strong global demand has allowed Zespri to sell a record crop of around 215 million trays at strong value for growers.

“The forecast reflects strong sales in Europe and North America this season, along with a more positive finish in Asia following earlier season challenges.

“Our Northern Hemisphere supply season is also performing well, helping maintain shelf space and keep the Zespri brand in front of customers year-round.

“With volumes up 27%, our sales window will extend through to mid-March, around a month longer than last season and with new season New Zealand fruit expected to arrive in market from mid-April, we’re moving closer to closing the supply gap.”

Zespri’s final season results will be published in May.