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Seasonal Update
SUMMERFRUIT UPDATE
Rain damaged cherries
Seasonal Update
The start of 2021 has sadly not provided the clean break from Covid-19 that the summerfruit industry was hoping for.
By Richard Palmer : Chief Executive, Summerfruit NZ
Tracey at Lakes District job fair Despite a promising crop, a great turnout of seasonal staff for harvest, and airfreight in place for cherry exports, the devastating rain event at New Year in Central Otago has had a significant effect on this season’s cherry and apricot crops. The rain event was the worst that many in the region have ever seen, and at the peak of cherry harvest had a drastic effect on the crop, with an estimated 50% of the crop lost. Apricots have also been affected with some reports of 50% loss also. The weather improved with hot days mid-month allowing for harvest to recommence. It is unfortunate that the many New Zealanders who turned out to support the harvest have had the season cut short, although the new Central Otago seasonal labour coordinator, Tracey Mansfield, has worked quickly to shift workers to areas of shortage and into the vineyards a bit earlier.
Despite the weather, we have continued to export supported by airfreight schedules, many underpinned by the government’s International Air Freight Capacity scheme. Importantly, Ministry of Transport officials reacted quickly to ensure capacity for cherry exports was maintained in the early New Year period, to avoid a potential double whammy to growers and exporters.
The domestic season has gone well with strong sales volume and pricing prior to Christmas. Overall fruit quality has been very good with a very positive uptake from consumers. Growers have responded well to the consistent message from retailers and wholesalers about the need to supply good quality fruit. There are still a few months to go and much fruit to be picked, with the February to March labour situation still looking uncertain. To support the Central Otago region a seasonal labour coordinator was appointed last year to assist growers across the region in all sectors. Tracey Mansfield has hit the ground running and recently rolled out the Handpicked Crew Card, a discount card available for employers to give to their seasonal staff. This card has been incredibly well supported by local businesses offering deals to harvest staff.
Welcome here
Welcome here card
card
For growers who need support with placing seasonal staff, or have not yet sought out their Crew Cards, Tracey can be contacted at seasonalcoordinator@ summerfruitnz.co.nz
2021 Summerfruit NZ Progress
The events of 2020 and the preparation for this season put the Summerfruit NZ review somewhat into the background. However, contemporary events have reinforced the need for industry representatives to be well informed about their sectors and their needs; to be well connected to decision-makers; and to have capacity and relationships to work together with other groups to achieve for growers. The collective actions of the horticulture industry over the past nine months have demonstrated the value of working together for common outcomes. Whilst sectoral nuance is important, the efficiency and effectiveness of our collaboration has delivered for growers, despite the immense challenges we face. The single-mindedness with which we have tackled issues of Covid-19 essential business operations, seasonal logistics, post-Covid recovery strategy and seasonal labour, to name but a few, led predominantly under the pan-sectoral Horticulture New Zealand umbrella, have given our sectors the best possible chance to succeed in these difficult times. In the second quarter of 2021 we expect to see the appointment of a new permanent chief executive to take forward the Summerfruit NZ collaborative and collective approach to servicing the needs and expectations of our members. This was a key outcome from the sector review: to build scale, efficiency and effectiveness. Already we have undertaken some internal restructuring, and following this Carolena Swaneveld finished at Summerfruit NZ just prior to Christmas. Juan Rosales recently left Summerfruit NZ to take on a new role at the Ministry for Primary Industries in the biosecurity readiness and response team. Thus Juan continues the work he has been doing for Summerfruit NZ, albeit in different guise, with invaluable experience from the industry perspective. I thank both Juan and Carolena for their service to Summerfruit NZ and our growers, packers and exporters.
Conference 2021
The Summerfruit NZ conference is back again in 2021, and will be held in Napier, 9–10 June at the Napier Conference Centre.
Anyone wanting to register their interest as an exhibitor or sponsor should contact our conference organiser, Karen McLean from Conference Makers Ltd, by email to karen@cml.net.nz
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