Zespri is expecting grower returns to increase slightly this year – for Green and Gold fruit at least, while organic kiwifruit is expected to have another 'challenging” year.
Zespri is anticipating returns of between $7 and $7.75 for Green kiwifruit, compared with a final payout of $7 a tray last season.

Zespri is anticipating an improved level of returns for Green and Gold fruit.

Green organic is expected to return between $8.40 and $8.90 a tray, compared with $8.96 last season.
Gold expectations are for between $12 and $12.50 a tray compared with $12.13 per tray last season.
The estimates do not include loyalty premiums.
Zespri also expects to increase loyalty payments from 15 cents a tray last season to 25 cents for the 2010/11.
Zespri chief executive Lain Jager says these are early indications and Zespri won't release the full forecast until August.
It is good fruit this year with excellent eating quality and early season sales have given Zespri confidence that markets will respond positively, says Lain.
The dry weather across much of the country has resulted in an overall crop with lower numbers and smaller sizes, but with very high dry matter and excellent sugar levels.
'Together with strong early season delivery, we are well positioned for the season and expecting a modest recovery in local market returns, following a very challenging season last year,” says Lain.
'For now, the focus is on working closely with our customers to achieve the best result possible for growers with the excellent fruit quality we have been blessed with this season.”

Click here to read about Zespri's financial results for the year ending March 31.