WELLINGTON, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's 2026 kiwifruit harvest has begun in Pukekohe, Auckland, with the country forecast to produce its largest crop on record despite recent adverse weather and transport concerns.
The season is expected to yield about 221 million trays, up from last year's record 217 million, each holding around 30 kiwifruits, said a statement of industry body New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) on Monday.
Kiwifruit is New Zealand's top horticultural export, earning about 3 billion NZ dollars (1.8 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024/25 from more than 2,800 orchards nationwide, it said.
A small number of orchards have been hit by wind, rain and flooding recently, but NZKGI said overall output would not be significantly affected.
Harvesting and packing work is ramping up nationwide, offering thousands of seasonal jobs paying on average 25 to 28 NZ dollars (15.1 to 16.9 U.S. dollars) an hour, according to the industry body.
Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake, from New Zealand's leading kiwifruit marketer, expects strong demand across 50 global markets and plans to unveil the company's 2035 growth strategy later this month. ■