Zespri optimistic about 2018 season, plans for further production in Europe to boost supply

Zespri optimistic about 2018 season, plans for further production in Europe to boost supply
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Aug. 24 (BusinessDesk) - Zespri, New Zealand's statutory kiwifruit exporter, is optimistic about the 2018 season after some growers saw weakness in 2017, with plans to continue global expansion. In the 2017 season, the Te Puke-based company achieved distributable profit for its grower shareholders of $34.8 million in the year to March 31 on a 19 percent increase in turnover of $2.26 billion. Payments to New Zealand growers per tray supplied fell 1 percent to $9.46, although total payments were up 21 percent at $1.39 billion...