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Auckland, May 28, 2022
A record crop, ongoing investment in brand-led demand creation, and the industry’s ability to respond and leverage its scale and structure have helped Zespri deliver a record result for the 2021-2022 season, with total global fruit sales revenue exceeding $4 billion for the first time.
Despite the immense challenges faced by the industry this season, Zespri’s 2021-2022 Financial Results show total global revenue generated by fruit sales reached $4.03 billion, up 12% from the previous year, with total global operating revenue up by 15% to $4.47 billion.
Global sales volumes also increased 11% from the previous year to 201.5 million trays.
(Photo Supplied)
Higher returns to the industry
The results saw direct returns to the New Zealand industry increase to a record $2.47 billion including loyalty payments, despite the considerable uncertainty generated by the Covid-19 pandemic and cost increases across the supply chain. Earnings were spread through regional communities including within the Bay of Plenty, Northland, Nelson, Gisborne, and the Waikato.
Grower returns remained strong in a challenging season, with per hectare returns representing our second-best on record across all varieties (a) The average return for Zespri Green per tray was $6.35, with the average return per hectare reaching $75,494 (b) Zespri Organic Green reached an average return per tray of $9.74, with the average per hectare return increasing to $67,752 (c) The average return for Zespri Sun Gold Kiwifruit was $11.51 per tray, and the average return per hectare was $176,026 (d) Zespri Organic Sun Gold Kiwifruit saw a per tray return of $12.61, with the average per hectare return $143,772 and (e) Zespri Sweet Green achieved an average return per tray of $7.82 and an average return per hectare of $54,609.
Zespri’s Non-New Zealand Supply sales increased to $536.9 million while Zespri’s net profit after tax is $361.5 million, a record result and up from 2020-2021 restated profit of $277.1 million, led by overall strong performance and by the continued demand for Zespri Sun Gold licence.
An extraordinary season
According to Zespri Chairman Bruce Cameron, the results reflect an effort across the industry to continue to operate safely throughout the challenges presented by the pandemic.
“This was an extraordinary season where the industry faced some considerable headwinds in the market, throughout the supply chain and on the orchard, yet collectively we found a way to tackle the challenges and to continue to succeed. Most pleasingly, we delivered strong returns for growers including our second-highest per hectare returns, strengthened our partnerships across our global supply chain, continued to make positive contributions to our communities and made decisions as an industry, we are to set for sustained success,” he said.
Chief Executive Dan Mathieson said that the results reflect the ongoing focus on investment in the Zespri brand, the ability to build demand ahead of supply to create value and the long-term relationships which have helped the industry overcome challenges and to move forward.
“This is a pleasing result given the significant challenges faced during the 2021-2022 season. These included the pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruption, shifting weather patterns, tightening regulations, changes to fruit flows, increasing competition in the market, labour shortages, late season fruit quality issues, significant cost increases and international trade challenges. Exporters right around the world have been tested, and our industry again rose to the challenge to deliver strong results in the toughest of circumstances,” he said.
About Zespri
Zespri is wholly owned by current and former Kiwifruit growers and has a global team of 850 based in Mount Maunganui and throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas. It aims to help people, communities and the environment thrive through the goodness of Kiwifruit and works with 2800 growers in New Zealand and 1500 growers offshore to provide consumers with fresh, healthy and great-tasting Zespri Green, Ruby Red and Sun Gold Kiwifruit.
