ISSAUAH, WA – The New Zealand apple and pear season is approaching harvest and growers have good reasons to be positive and optimistic about the coming season.
We touched base with Luis Gonzalez who manages Vanguard’s BB #:300298 New Zealand procurement and sales for an update on the fast approaching 2022 apple and pear season.
The 2021 season will certainly be remembered as a most challenging one, as it was for most of the global produce industry with the many transportation disruptions and market closures due to Covid-19. As the New Zealand team moves closer to the start of harvest for 2022, the outlook and projections are positive and exciting.
The overall growing season was very good with no major inclement events that could compromise the quality and condition of the fruit. We expect great quality and condition to be the theme of the 2022 New Zealand apple and pear season.
The spring was hotter than normal with fair amounts of rains to counter any of the potential negative effects of the heat. Recent weather has been hot and dry, but starting mid-January, we saw milder weather and rain that should allow trees to catch a break from the heat, stabilize, and recuperate. Sizing is expected to be one size larger than in 2021 across all varieties.
Official numbers are not yet released, but the industry should have no issues achieving 23mm cartons of apples packed in 2022.
The labor situation has certainly improved since 2021. While there is still a shortage of seasonal workers that are relied upon for harvest labor, temporary workers coming from neighboring islands have managed to fill this gap. Labor costs have increased by approximately 10%. Cost for freight has increased and customers should expect to pay between $1.50 to $3.00 per carton more in 2022 than last year.
The outlook regarding transportation is also favorable as we do not foresee the same grave challenges this year that was faced last year.
Pear harvest is scheduled to start during week 4 and apples weeks 6-7. Most packers will start running Galas during week 8, but with peak volumes around week 9-10 depending on further developments in the orchards.
Aside from the increased costs, the overall outlook for 2022 is very positive. We are eagerly watching market behavior, demand patterns, vessel schedules, container availability, and the constantly changing Covid environment.
About Vanguard
Founded in 1991, Vanguard is a leading global vertically-integrated fresh fruit growing, packing, marketing, and sales organization headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, USA, with branch officesin Wapato, Washington; Bakersfield, California; Lima, Peru; Ica, Peru: Santiago, Chile; Stellenbosch, South Africa; Shanghai, China; Taipei, Taiwan; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Jakarta, Indonesia; and
Madrid, Spain.
www.vanguardfresh.com
