10 Aug 2010

Mandarin growers report mixed results

2:04 pm on 10 August 2010

Mandarin producers in the main growing regions of Northland and Gisborne are reporting contrasting results for this season.

Volumes of the main mandarin variety, satsuma, have been severely hit in Northland, with the majority of orchards producing 40% less fruit.

In Gisborne, this season's crop has been average and as a result of the shortage coming out of Northland, prices have been greatly improved.

The chair of the Citrus Growers group, Rick Curtis, says the mandarin harvest at his Kerikeri orchard was 43% down on last year.

He says growers hope the other citrus varieties that are ripening now - lemons and oranges - will not be similarly affected.