After a red hot start to the season, kiwifruit export values slowed over June, according new figures.
The latest ASB Commodities report said overall export values for the month were $280m, down $34.4m or 10.9 percent from June 2018.
- Zespri reports record revenue, as global kiwifruit sales boom
- Kiwifruit industry welcomes declaration of seasonal labour shortage in BOP
It said lower kiwifruit export volumes over the month accounted for all the slowdown, with combined green and gold June volumes dipping 18 percent compared to June 2018 levels.
However it said export prices remain healthy, with June prices 3.2 percent and 7.0 percent, higher than June 2018, for gold and green, respectively.
The report said export values continue to track at a record pace.
In the four months to date, export values are running 9.7 percent ahead of the same period a year ago.
"Using the reported crop estimates and assuming that the lift in export prices to date holds over the remainder of the season, we anticipate total export values are likely to reach about $2.25bn by season end," said report author, ASB senior rural economist, Nathan Penny.
This would represent a $60m or circa 3 percent lift on last season.
By commodity, sheep/beef, forestry and fruit prices all fell in USD terms.
Meanwhile, dairy prices bucked the trend, rising 0.3 percent over the week ending July 26th.
Newshub.
