Better year for NZ pipfruit growers

New Zealand's pipfrruit growers are expecting better returns this year. Growers were expected to export about 14.5 million cartons of fruit this year, down from more than 18 million last year and more than 20 million in 2004. The reduced volumes coupled with better quality control and reduced crops from other southern hemisphere producers means that prices are expected to be much higher than last year's $15 a carton.