No redundancies had been made by the receivers and it was ''business as usual'' at the orchard, receiver Tim Ward, of BDO Invercargill, said yesterday.
''The receivers are happy with the level of inquiry that has been received at this early stage of the business asset sale process. The expectation is that the tender process will achieve a sale of the business assets.''
At this stage of the fruit season, staff numbers were at a minimum, he said.
''... the receivers are ensuring that there are sufficient staff to attend to the duties required and will increase those numbers as the seasonal work patterns require,'' Mr Ward said.
Six staff were working at the orchard now and in the peak of the fruit season, more than 100 people would be employed on the orchard and in the packhouse.
The company went into receivership last month. Its assets include a 201ha property at Earnscleugh, near Alexandra, which includes a 50ha orchard, a packhouse, cool store and administration complex.
Apricots and cherries make up the majority of the plantings in the orchard. Mr Ward said it was business as usual, while the business assets were being marketed as a going concern.
This approach meant the orchard would produce and harvest fruit ''in the normal manner''.
''Part of the business activity in the past has been the packing of fruit for other orchards. The provision of this service will be addressed by the receivers as the season progresses,'' he said.
Summerfruit began operation in 1986, focusing mostly on export cherries, apricot, nectarines and apples.
The property includes the Weaver family's Conroys Rd orchards and a block of farmland in Strode Rd bought from the Cameron family.
The 2013 rateable value of Summerfruit's property was $3.65 million.
The receiver's first report is due on November 7 and tenders for the operation close on October 30.
