Welcome to our week 41 update. The ladies event was held over the weekend to Priscilla Queen of Desert – thanks to those of you who gave me regular photographic updates. I promise not to forward them on to anyone, they looked fantastic and everyone seemed to be having a great time.
Seeka is now approaching the final stages of the 2016 shipping programme with approximately five weeks remaining until completion. The team is well underway with our avocado programme, and are grateful for the fine weather.
There are 1.2 million trays of Hayward conventional inventory remaining instore, and onshore, across the industry, there remains 8.2 million trays. Fruitloss is 1.31% at the end of week 41, with time related earnings tracking across all submit trays at $0.25 or $0.33 per time pools tray. The loss rate is very good and, ironically, will give Zespri a headache with more fruit to sell. Over half of our remaining instore trays are scheduled for shipping over the next two weeks.
Our Hayward organic fruit is down to the last 1.5% of our inventory. Fruit loss is 0.93% at the end of week 41 and time related earning of $0.36 per submit tray or $0.39 per time pool tray. Current orders to the end of week 42 are for 9K trays, which leaves an inventory of 7K trays remaining to be ordered.
The case of G14 Zespri SweetGreen
Zespri have been considering the options for their PVR variety Zespri G14 SweetGreen. It is a vexed issue, one where there is no easy solution.
When Zespri G3 SunGold was first released Growers were told that if the crop they grew was not early then Zespri may not take it. Those growers who were in locations that were less likely to supply to this early criteria were faced with a choice – Zespri G9 Charm or Zespri G14 SweetGreen. Many took the option to go to Zespri G14 SweetGreen not wanting Charm, and with the surety that if the variety was not successful that they would be offered Zespri G3 SunGold license if withdrawn within the first 5 years.
From day one Zespri G14 SweetGreen has not been a great variety. It has been challenging to grow in the orchard, and get to size. It has suffered fruit drop in the orchard, and at times presented challenges at the coolstore. Market feedback has been muted.
The decision to withdraw Zespri G14 SweetGreen was not made within the 5 years. Accordingly the offer to swap over to Zespri G3 SunGold not made. So what to do? Zespri G14 SweetGreen growers are not happy.
Zespri has recently written to Zespri G14 SweetGreen growers telling them that the variety will continue to be sold , using a different strategy which is likely to result in a different market mix. Zespri is suggesting that because of this change it is time to consider having the G14 SweetGreen pooled with Hayward. This is unlikely to be an unpopular option too many.
Any opinion I might offer on this situation will offend someone. This is a situation entirely of the Industries making. So I will make the point to you, there are only 170 hectares of Zespri G14 SweetGreen, a relatively minor area in the context of Zespri G3 SunGold.
The numbers at midnight Sunday end of week 41 [16/10/2016]
Stakeholder Meeting and Brand Launch
Please feel free to attend a meeting of Seeka’s stakeholders on Friday 21 October 2016, where we will update you on the company’s performance, strategy as well as launch the new Seeka brand.
Venue : ASB Stadium Lounge ASB Bay Park, 81 Truman Lane, Mt Maunganui
Time: 3.00pm, Friday 21 October
RSVP to Anne Moir on email anniem@seeka.co.nz or phone 07 573-0303.
Thanks and kind regards
Michael
Seeka Key
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