9 Nov 2015

Final kiwifruit shipment off to Asia

3:05 pm on 9 November 2015

The last of 60 refrigerated ships carrying New Zealand kiwifruit exports to markets around the world will leave Tauranga's port for Japan and China today.

The Asian Adonis loading at the Port of Tauranga

The Asian Adonis loading at the Port of Tauranga Photo: Jamie Troughton / Dscribe Media

Kiwifruit marketer Zespri said the number of ships increased to 60, up from 51 last season, and carried more than 9000 refrigerated containers of fruit.

Zespri said sales to China were up by about 40 percent and it was expecting overall volumes to be up by about 25 percent on last season.

The company's recorded almost $2 billion in sales.