As the new citrus season gets underway, New Zealand growers are anticipating a stronger performance compared to last year, despite the sector's challenging couple of years.
Citrus NZ Chair Ian Albers said local growers have been optimistic about the upcoming season.
“Gisborne and Kerikeri are our largest citrus-producing regions, with smaller volumes grown in the Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay. Typically, Kerikeri’s fruit will come to market ahead of Gisborne but there is often overlap as well," said Albers.
While both regions reported a relatively patchy crop, Albers remained upbeat.
“We are seeing some exceptional crops in Gisborne, but some orchards are still recovering from a season of contrasting weather patterns – hot and dry in the early part of summer and then cool and wet from late December to the end of January.”
He also mentioned that the new season limes were already in full swing, and Satsuma mandarins are set to hit the shelves this month, followed by lemons and grapefruit heading into winter.
New Zealand Navel oranges are renowned for having some of the best flavour in the world and will begin being harvested in Northland from July. Limes are becoming more mainstream as local supply increases, and they now represent good buying for most of the season.
“It’s such a versatile piece of fruit, and a little goes a long way. We will be encouraging consumers to buy more limes and incorporate their fresh, tangy flavour into both sweet and savoury dishes."
Satsuma mandarins have been a perennial favourite with Kiwi consumers. These easy-peel, juicy, seedless orbs of goodness will be on the shelves from mid-April. They are a good source of vitamin C and folate and also contain vitamin B6, potassium, and dietary fibre.
“New Zealand grows seven or eight varieties of Satsumas, all of which originated in Japan. The mix of varieties come on stream at different times, allowing the season to extend into late July or early August.”
Citrus packs a big punch nutritionally. One serve can provide up to 179 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, making it an ideal choice for boosting immunity and overall health during the cooler autumn and winter months.
Citrus also contains antioxidants, including flavonoids and carotenoids, and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to help aid digestion, immunity, asthma, and skin and eye health.
“Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc on many citrus crops two years ago. Kiwi orchardists have shown incredible resilience in the face of adversity, so we’re encouraging retailers and consumers to get behind these businesses in 2025 and literally enjoy the fruits of their labour.”
More NZ horticulture news here
