Zespri forecasts jump in annual profit as it seeks to maintain value in 'challenging' market

By Tina Morrison Sept. 5 (BusinessDesk) - Zespri Group, the country's kiwifruit export marketing body, expects profit to surge higher in the coming year as it grows volumes and seeks to maintain values in "challenging" markets with higher volumes of low-priced fruit. The Mount Maunganui-based company reaffirmed its forecast for net profit of between $175 million and $180 million in the year ending March 31, 2019, up from $101.8 million last financial year. It expects to pay a dividend per share of $1.35-to-$1.40, up from 76 cents per shar...