Welcome to 2020. In commencing our grower updates for the year, we wish you a safe and optimal harvest and every success and happiness in the year ahead. There is a lot going on as we prepare for the upcoming kiwifruit harvest. Disciplined operational and contingency planning is paramount at this time of the year to make sure we are set to deliver our growers a professional and timely harvest. We are well into our preparation cycle with meetings already held with our picking contractors, and getting set for our internal operational planning conference on Wednesday 19 February. We will outline the harvest plan to our growers between Monday 24 February and Tuesday 3 March at the After 5 meetings. The next Seeka Growers Council meeting is Thursday 13 February.
There are a number of new issues as we prepare for the year ahead including:
While 2019 was a really good year, there are challenges in front of us and post-harvest really needs to hit its straps and optimise for growers.
Our avocado business has continued to harvest throughout the break. Seeka has now achieved an important milestone with Woolworths Australia, having delivered over 1m trays to this customer, and well above its planned volumes in the 2019/2020 harvest. Export returns now look to be around $17 per tray, up on our earlier expectations.
The kiwiberry harvest is about to commence.
Seeka supports Samoa
Tragically a measles epidemic hit Samoa with over 80 fatalities prior to Christmas. Seeka recruits over 160 RSE workers from Samoa and they add to the richness of our contracting, orchards and packhouse communities. Having consulted with the NZ Government, Seeka chose to support the community and made a substantial donation to an aid agency called Soul Talk. Soul Talk supports the carers of the ill in Samoa and helps families who suffered loss. The monies provided by Seeka has helped Soul Talk to provide simple provisions to those who were sick from nappies to food, in cases helped with the burial costs, the cost of counselling and the costs looking after the carers.
We also have made sure that all the Samoan workers here in New Zealand were immunised and provided free immunisation.
In talking about this support, we are mindful that its not about promoting Seeka, but really to let our supporters know that we have supported those who have been impacted through this tragic event. If you are interested to know more please contact Kate Bryant at Seeka360.
Seeka kiwfuit growers After 5 Meetings schedule
Refreshments from 5pm, presentations start at 5:30pm, followed by a light meal.
Kind regards,
Michael
Seeka Key
Contacts