Undercover Ruby Red orchard on market
A kiwifruit orchard on the market in Northland features one of the country’s biggest under-canopy plantings of Zespri’s new high-value Ruby Red fruit variety.
The north-facing 17.28-hectare property at 403 Te Ahu Ahu Rd, Kerikeri, comprises 13ha of kiwifruit growing area, including 10ha of the Zespri Ruby Red varietal under canopy, with the other remaining portion of the block identified for future orchard expansion.
Zespri has forecast that demand for the Zespri Ruby Red variety – technically known as Red19 – across key markets from 2022 to 2032 could grow to 15 million trays, with key intended export markets comprising Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia.
Horticultural expert Alan Kerr of Bayleys Kerikeri said the orchard was superbly positioned to capitalise on Zespri’s growth predictions for the Red19 variety.
‘‘An orchard of this quality, size, and scale planted in the new Ruby Red variety is extremely rare to find.’’
Kerr said a production forecast for the Te Ahu Ahu Road operation had identified that the orchard should produce 1000 trays of fruit in the 2024/25 season, progressing exponentially to 8000 trays in the following season, and peaking up to 13,000 trays in the 2027/28 harvesting period.
‘‘This is a turnkey investment opportunity with all the growing support infrastructure in place, and now requiring only ongoing canopy management, and we have management operators available to become involved in this capacity.’’
He said the entire orchard was net covered and had side drop covers enabling the entire planting to be fully enclosed should conditions require. There was also vertical under-vine cloth spaced between every eighth row for additional wind reduction and temperature control to create a warmer growing environment.
‘‘This sheltered growing environment is perfect for the Ruby Red variety. Being under cover with both internal and external headlands means that orchard work can continue, irrespective of weather conditions,’’ Kerr said.
The orchard is planted in Bruno rootstock at a concentration of 1023 stock plants per hectare on free draining volcanic soils, and for irrigation, the orchard has supply though an agreement with the Cooks Lane Water Company which allows the orchard to draw up to 576 cubic metres of water daily, and up to 70,144 cubic metres of water annually.
‘‘The locale’s soils are formed on older basalt lava which is low in silica and rich in iron and aluminium. These are classic soils suitable to both orchards and market gardening. All mature basalt volcanic soils are generally free draining and require few drainage improvements,’’ he said.