Dozens of packhouse staff were completing checks as the packhouse’s processor treated three tonnes of cherries per hour. Batches were then boxed and labelled in time for an overnight courier dispatch in the afternoon.
Central Otago Cherry Team sales manager Reece van der Velden said greater quantities were to be shipped in the coming days.
Due to the company’s strict quality standards, there was a significant amount of wastage during checks.
He said it was a streamlined process which benefited from an e-commerce partnership with NZ Post.
"We’re utilising them for their automation process and their efficiency."
It was the first pack of the season for the Cromwell exporters yesterday.
Mr van der Velden said the weather had presented challenges.
"The risk is it can rain; there could be the growing degree days, which can delay the crop.
"We’ve had all those challenges this year."
Elsewhere, all staff are expected to be on deck today at Jakimm Orchards and Cherry Packhouse, near Cromwell.
However, owner Peter Jamieson said the rain had slowed proceedings at his packhouse.
"The weather has had a big impact on us already ... Mother Nature and cherries don’t mix," he said.
"As soon as you start to get rain events like this here, you obtain a significant amount of loss in some cases."
