Kiwifruit sales to China & Japan set to hit $1 billion
Kiwifruit marketer Zespri says its latest sales to China are tracking at a record half a billion dollars, while Japan looks set to earn another half a billion. These two countries are Zespri‘s biggest customers. Most of the kiwifruit sold there in the 2017-2018 season was grown in New Zealand, with supplies from Zespri-contracted growers overseas, including in Japan, supplementing demand.
According to Zespri spokesperson Rachel Lynch, the financial results for the 2017-2018 season were still being collated, but China and Japan were expected to bring in $1 billion between them.
Zespri‘s total sales in 2016-2017 were $2.3 billion. The Mount Maunganui-based company, which has a near-monopoly on kiwifruit exporting by regulation, has committed to more than double annual sales revenue from New Zealand and its overseas orchard outposts to $4.5 billion by 2025.
Lynch said the indicative $500 million of sales to China, where the fruit originated and which today is a Zespri competitor, compares to sales of $446 million in the 2016-2017 season.
According to parkcitycaller.com, for Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson, Japan is a particular sweet spot after sales leapt by nearly six million trays to 24.4 million trays in the two seasons between 2014 and 2016, easing to 23.6 million trays last year.
Zespri expects its annual sales to Japan to increase by about 25 per cent over the next five years. The 2018-2019 kiwifruit harvest has just started in New Zealand.
This article is reproduced and has already indicated the source. If there is still any offence, please contact us.
