Zespri predicts a slight lift in grower returns for the main green variety this year and says prices for the gold variety will hold steady on last season's record returns.
The kiwifruit marketer has issued its first price forecast for the new export season now underway.
It's looking at a per tray return of $7 - $7.50 for green kiwifruit, which still makes up three quarters of the total crop, and $12 - $12.50 for gold.
On top of that, it expects to pay growers a loyalty payment of 25 cents per tray, compared with 15 cents for the past season.
Chief financial officer Merv Dallas says Zespri achieved a 3% lift in earnings from export sales and an 8% increase in payments to suppliers last season.
That was despite the negative impact of the global recession on markets.
