Zespri posts record returns for Kiwifruit Growers
Middle East conflict rippling through NZ economy beyond fuel costs
Hawke's Bay Mayors ask McCain to pause plant closure
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Zespri posts record returns for Kiwifruit Growers
New Zealand kiwifruit growers have shared in a record-breaking season, with Zespri delivering three-point-five-six billion dollars in direct industry returns — up from three-point-zero-four billion the previous year.
Global fruit sales hit five-point-nine billion dollars from two-hundred-and-forty-eight million trays sold worldwide, with per-hectare returns reaching record levels across all fruit categories. SunGold returned an average of eleven dollars-ninety per tray — one-hundred-and-eighty-five-thousand-six-hundred-and-sixty-one dollars per hectare. Green kiwifruit returned ten dollars-twenty-eight per tray and the premium RubyRed variety returned just over sixteen dollars per tray.
Zespri's net profit after tax jumped to two-hundred-and-eighty million dollars, up from one-hundred-and-fifty-five million the previous year.
Chief executive Jason Te Brake says the results reflect a record crop delivered in a challenging environment, with strong performance in Europe and North America offsetting pressure in some other markets.
Middle East conflict rippling through NZ economy beyond fuel costs
The economic fallout from the Middle East conflict is spreading well beyond the fuel pump, with new analysis warning that supply chain pressures are now hitting fertiliser, freight, packaging and farm inputs — with few sectors likely to escape.
While higher fuel prices have been the most visible impact, the broader cost shock is working its way through the entire economy. Agriculture, manufacturing, construction and transport are among the most exposed — but even less fuel-intensive businesses face headwinds as households redirect spending toward essentials.
The pressures are already showing up in real costs. Shipping giant Maersk has applied a twenty-seven percent fuel surcharge, while the Interislander nearly doubled its fuel surcharge for commercial vehicles crossing Cook Strait.
Businesses are being urged to look beyond their direct fuel use and assess exposure across suppliers, freight, packaging inputs and customer demand — with around a quarter of the New Zealand economy carrying high or very high exposure to at least two of the key disruptions identified.
The Government has indicated the risk of fuel rationing remains low, but ongoing volatility looks likely while the conflict persists.
Hawke's Bay Mayors ask McCain to pause plant closure
Hawke's Bay mayors have written to McCain Foods requesting an eight-week pause on any major changes to its Hastings processing plant, as local growers explore whether a grower-owned operation could keep large-scale vegetable processing alive in the region.
Hastings District Mayor Wendy Schollum and Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Will Foley are asking for time to complete an independent feasibility study before infrastructure or processing capability is lost. The study would assess whether a viable grower-owned pathway exists, covering infrastructure, market opportunities, workforce needs and commercial sustainability.
Foley says the mayors respect McCain's right to make commercial decisions — but given the significance of the industry to Hawke's Bay, the assessment deserves to be completed before key assets are removed.
Both mayors say government support will be critical to completing the work quickly and with the technical rigour required. They are cautiously optimistic following recent meetings with ministers and MPs from across Parliament.
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New Zealand