by Mike Bain-The Daily Examiner.

Under the brilliant New Zealand sun, Zespri, the world’s premium kiwifruit marketer, is basking in the glory of its most successful season yet.

The company has just released its final forecast for the 2024/25 season, unveiling a story of remarkable growth and soaring demand. This bumper crop is set to propel Zespri beyond its ambitious goal of $4.5 billion in global revenue, a target that has been a beacon for the industry since 2015.

Kiwifruit aficionados will be thrilled to hear that per tray returns have strengthened across all fruit categories except for the classic Green kiwifruit, which remains steady. This year, both Green and Organic Green kiwifruit have hit record highs in terms of returns per hectare, thanks to improved yields and a robust market. SunGold kiwifruit, already a superstar in the industry, has seen its per-hectare returns rise since the last forecast in November. Meanwhile, the RubyRed Kiwifruit, with its unique flavor profile, continues to hold steady both per tray and per hectare.

Zespri’s CEO, Jason Te Brake, couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. “It’s been a very positive season,” he remarked. “With our crop volume significantly up on the previous year, the industry’s efforts to deliver good quality fruit have supported strong sales in our key markets.”

Indeed, Zespri has sold a record-breaking 190 million trays this season, capturing the hearts and taste buds of consumers around the globe. The company’s strategic focus on brand-led demand and quality-driven innovation has paid off in spades, allowing them to exceed their long-term revenue target.

“This tremendous effort reflects our commitment to building brand-led demand, delivering outstanding quality kiwifruit to our markets, and innovating to create value for growers,” Te Brake continued. The industry’s collective confidence is palpable, buoyed by the successful discussions on expanding the Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) at the end of 2024. The ability to make strategic decisions together has been a cornerstone of their success.

As Zespri looks ahead to the 2025 harvest, which has just begun, the outlook remains bright. With growing conditions largely positive and a projected crop of over 200 million trays, the company is poised to start the season strongly. Their focus will be on ensuring a good supply of high-quality fruit to maximize early season sales opportunities, continuing to deliver strong value to their growers.

In the wider horticultural world, Zespri’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. Industry experts and commentators outside the kiwifruit sector have lauded the company’s ability to consistently meet and exceed its targets. Dr. Emma Thompson, an agribusiness analyst, commented, “Zespri’s strategic approach and commitment to quality are exemplary. They’ve set a benchmark for other sectors to follow.”

Zespri’s final season results will be published in May, but one thing is already clear: this is a season for the history books. With its largest-ever crop and unprecedented demand, Zespri has not only reached its financial goals but has also solidified its position as a leader in the global fruit market.