Apple growers in Central Otago are looking forward to higher returns this season.
Growers are looking at an average return of $22.40 or more per carton.
Pipfruit grower Steven darling from Ettrick said there were several reasons for the higher returns this year.
The Hawkes Bay, which grows mainly Braeburn and Royal Gala, had been devastated by frost, Chile and other southern regions had lower than usual production, and the markets in the northern hemispherem particularly the United States and Europem were very strong this season, he said.
Fruit is generally into those markets from May to August, with the proceeds being received from July through to October. Timing had also helped payouts, with the NZ dollar falling against the US dollar and British pound.
Mr Darling said growers were pushed with the increasing costs of fuel, compliance, wages and electricity.
"We are totally reliant on what the market is paying, with our international fuel bill which is as high as our on-orchard production costs on a per-carton basis. It costs as much to ship the apples overseas as it does to grow them. In addition to that, there are significant post-harvest costs including picking, packing, cool-storage, packaging and land transport to the ports.
"We are very mindful of our increasing costs and we are always looking for ways to improve," he said. Increased returns were necessary for growers to remain sustainable.
