The kiwifruit industry and the Government have joined forces in a nearly $50 million initiative aimed at increasing production while protecting the environment.

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay recently unveiled the five-year commercial project, which he says will unlock greater value from kiwifruit orchards through on-orchard innovation, advanced decision-support tools and new science.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) and marketer Zespri will deliver Optimising Kiwifruit Land Use – More from Less, with the project co-funded through the Government’s Primary Sector Growth Fund, which is contributing $19.14m.

The kiwifruit industry and Zespri will contribute a further $28.73m in combined cash and in-kind investment.

Zespri chief executive Jason Te Brake says the project will help growers produce higher yields of premium fruit while using less water and fewer nutrients, reducing environmental impacts in the process.

“The programme is designed to strengthen the value of New Zealand’s kiwifruit exports and deliver greater value back to growers, while ensuring we can continue meeting strong global demand for premium kiwifruit.”

Jason says the industry is pleased to be working alongside the Government on the initiative.

“New Zealand sells high-quality, great-tasting Zespri kiwifruit in more than 50 markets around the world each year, and we continue to see strong demand from customers and consumers for our fruit.

“We expect to more than double our exports over the next 10 years by releasing new cultivars, developing more orchards and, importantly, maximising productivity on existing orchards in a way that is good for people, communities and the environment.”

Grower support

“This programme will support growers to improve their orchard performance and production, while strengthening the value of our kiwifruit exports to meet the strong market demand for our premium products,” he says.

“Our industry has a strong history of being forward-looking, innovative and collaborative and co-investment of this kind helps bring innovation to growers much faster than we could on our own.”

Jason says the sector has a strong opportunity in New Zealand, with land capable of producing some of the best kiwifruit yields in the world.

But there are some constraints it is also working with.

“There’s only so much suitable land in the right climates, with production sitting alongside increasing environmental expectations and climate variability.

“Kiwifruit has a relatively low environmental impact and we’re committed to always looking at ways we can do better.

“The opportunity for us is in getting more from the orchards growing now through more precise growing practices, better decision-making tools, and continuing to bring new science into our orchards to improve production as well as delivering new varieties which grow at higher yields in a wider variety of locations.”

Jason says kiwifruit already delivers significant value back to New Zealand’s regions and rural communities each season – $3.6 billion in direct grower returns last season – and this programme will build on that, supporting further value back to growers, shareholders and the wider economy.

The project will be overseen by an independently chaired Project Governance Group, with representation from the Ministry for Primary Industries, NZKGI and Zespri.

Industry growth

NZKGI chief executive Colin Bond says the programme is an important step forward for grower confidence and industry growth.

“Growers are seeing strong global demand for New Zealand kiwifruit and meeting that demand relies on having confidence in our ability to produce consistent, high-quality supply.

“This programme is about giving growers the tools, science and insights they need to lift productivity, improve returns, and manage risk on orchard.”

Colin says the programme will deliver a range of innovations aimed at improving orchard performance, including new quality inspection technologies, more efficient production systems, enhanced vine management practices and advanced decision-support tools.

“It also focuses on improving water and nutrient use efficiency, lifting fruit size and yield, and developing new approaches to pest and disease management, including alternatives for Psa control.

NZKGI chairwoman Whetu Rolleston says the programme reflects the industry’s commitment to continuous improvement and sustainability.

“Kiwifruit growers are focused on producing world-class fruit while protecting the environments they operate in.

“This programme supports that by delivering practical, on-orchard solutions that improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.”

Whetu says a strong focus of the programme is ensuring productivity gains are achieved without increasing environmental impact, including reducing inputs and supporting lower-emissions production.

“The programme brings together industry and Government to support long-term resilience and sustainable growth across the kiwifruit sector.”