Kiwifruit prices tipped to hold or rise

Press, 15 November 1984, Page 14

Kiwifruit prices tipped to hold or rise

PA Wellington European kiwifruit imEorters say they can sell the uge increases of kiwifruit likely in the next few years without dropping the price, according to the assistant general manager of the Fruitgrowers’ Federation, Mr Robert Isbister. Mr Isbister believed the present price of kiwifruit would hold and rise, although there will be vast increases in the quantity exported. Kiwifruit exports are projected to rise from the record crop this year of 13.3 million trays, to 18.8 million next year and 44.4 million by 1988.

Some sceptics have prophesied that the kiwifruit

bubble would burst and prices wouldd drop once volumes went up. But Mr Isbister considered the price had reached a steady level and would start to increase. One factor helping New Zealand kiwifruit exports was the confidence European importers now had in the fruit.

“They had stood off a bit in the past and looked to see if we were a fly-by-night industry,” he said. “Their analysis of our industry has been going all the time they have been selling. “Now they are getting favourable-results, they see the customer likes the fruit, and see their investment growing. They also like its flexibility because, unlike

bananas, for example, kiwifruit keep weLl, there is little wastage and the quality is good.”

But he said kiwifruit exporters must quickly move to label their fruit as “New Zealand kiwifruit” to counter opposition from other countries’ kiwifruit. The French were starting to advertise their kiwifruit on television, he said, and this made it even more imperative that the industry seriously considered television advertising once it had sufficient funds, probably in the 1886-87 season. He also gave the apple industry a pat on the back, saying agents were just as enthusiastic about working on marketing New Zealand

apples as kiwifruit Consistent high quality, reliability of service, and the range of apple varieties, together with a consistent marketing . policy, meant that all those involved with the marketing of New Zealand fruit were able confidently to commit themselves to a market plan, he said.

“This ensures that a maximum effort is made by the importers in selling our apple and pear crop.

“This is very important, because if they have no confidence they will become tentative in their efforts and this will be reflected in the results achieved.”