Zespri started the export of Gold kiwifruit

The 1st exports to Japan have left the port of Tauranga, those going to Europe will follow.

Zespri predicts a total harvest of 85 million trays of kiwifruit. Of this total, 16 million trays of Gold kiwifruit  will be charged with 9 million of new Zespri SunGold/Gold3 variety. This new variety allowed  to increase the production of Gold kiwifruit for the first time after two years of decline.

The new SunGold/Gold3 variety begins to dethrone the variety  Gold Hort16A too sensitive to PSA disease, and now occupies 4,000 acres of orchards. Zespri expects to produce 50 million trays in 2018.

Zespri expects to charge about 49  refrigerated  vessels over the next 32 weeks to transport the majority of the 2014 crop to the major markets in Asia and Europe. Zespri kiwifruit will be sold this year in 54 countries worldwide.

source : sun live, radio news zealand