AN EVER-EXPANDING kiwifruit harvest has prompted the port of Tauranga, marketer Zespri and Tauranga Kiwifruit Logistics to enter a five-year partnership to grow cargo volumes through the port.
Kiwifruit exports are expected to increase more than 2% a year through to 2029 as the size of Zespri’s annual harvest continues to expand, which will be catered for through the five-year strategic partnership.
PoT chief executive Leonard Sampson said the agreement put the kiwifruit export industry in the perfect position for growth: “The agreement solidifies our shared interest in the success of the sector and ensures we are collaborating to manage peaks and other challenges,” he said.
Zespri Head of New Zealand Supply, Lorry Leydon, said the partnership was critical in delivering the growth the kiwifruit industry has planned over the next five years and ensuring it continues to deliver high-quality kiwifruit to global markets.
“Having key partners who are aligned to our strategy and values puts us in a great position to deliver sustained growth and value to the kiwifruit industry and the wider community,” he said.
TKL operates a coolstore at the Port’s Mount Maunganui wharves and handles the loading bulk and containerised kiwifruit on refrigerated charter vessels.
Last season, the majority of the more than 190 million trays of NZ-grown kiwifruit was exported via PoT, with about half shipped on dedicated charter vessels and the balance in containers. The export season lasts from March through to October.
Port of Tauranga also has cargo volume agreements with major exporters Kotahi Logistics (dairy, meat and other exports) and Oji Fibre Solutions (pulp, paper and packaging imports and exports).
