From The Chair

At a recent event, I was challenged to relate my experience in my own sector to yours. The loss of vegetable processing in our area caused major upheaval in our business, and we’ve had to look hard at other options. Some contracts I took on with a new player didn’t initially look viable, but they’ve since opened other doors. A group of us also looked at what could replace the old ‘industry’, and that work identified some related, but different, opportunities. The lesson for me has been that when the market shifts, there is opportunity for those willing to look for it.

For our sector, some of that opportunity lies in working more closely with the retailers we already supply. CNZ recently met with the main supermarkets and saw their systems and distribution centres first-hand. Their operations are complex, and that complexity brings real strengths: the information they capture helps them make informed decisions for their businesses. Encouragingly, there was support for working with our industry on supply timing, and interest in a quality mark for New Zealand citrus, which we are currently exploring.

There are opportunities on both sides. Retailers can move to New Zealand citrus as soon as local supply is available. Shoppers often don’t know where their fruit was grown, so one poor experience with citrus that may be imported, can turn them off citrus altogether. Getting the timing right protects the category for everyone.

Timeliness is a lever we control. How early and how clearly we share supply forecasts directly affects how well retailers can plan for New Zealand fruit. No single grower or packhouse can do this alone, so we’ll be working with packhouses and marketers to lift how we forecast and communicate as a sector. If we get this right, we give retailers the confidence to back New Zealand citrus when it’s in season.

I hope the rest of the season goes well for you all.

Hugh Ritchie

In-Depth

Citrus NZ continues to make progress towards market access for New Zealand-grown Meyer lemons (Citrus meyeri) into South Korea.

South Korean authorities have identified six priority quarantine pests and diseases to be addressed. We are working with growers, monitoring providers, packhouses and MPI on practical measures to manage these risks without an unnecessarily complex or expensive compliance system.

Following an industry meeting on 14 October 2026, a draft Citrus NZ industry scouting protocol has been developed. Early packhouse feedback suggests that several proposed post-harvest measures, including fruit bathing and imaging technology, are operationally acceptable to a number of packhouses.

MPI is preparing a high-level letter for discussion with the South Korean Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) at an upcoming meeting. The letter will describe the proposed IPM system as one approved by MPI. MPI has also given initial guidance on likely registration and oversight arrangements.

Market access has not yet been formally agreed. Our immediate priority is to get a positive response from APQA to the proposed approach and clarify their requirements. We can then finalise the operational system, including registration, auditing, costs and responsibilities.

CNZ wants your input on the development of the new market access pathway for Meyers to South Korea. Please refer to the two documents – Scouting Protocol draft and Export Pathway Plan and provide feedback and thoughts to Rob:

All feedback will be collated and CNZ will aim to set up a pathway that is feasible for all our membership to use to send Meyers to South Korea.

Industry Updates

Sprayer Optimisation Workshops Wrap Up

Citrus NZ has just completed a two-part Spray Optimisation Workshop series, run with Permission Industry Council and A Lighter Touch (ALT) as part of Citrus NZ’s Focus Orchard Network (FON) programme.

Each workshop ran for three hours. Growers worked through the fundamentals of good spray coverage,how to get better spray penetration into the canopy, and what “good” actually looks like in the orchard. The sessions were hosted by David Manktelow, Andrew Blakeman and Greg Small. They developed practical sessions and tools to help growers understand and check their own spray performance. Several resources came out of the workshops, including a Spray Calibrator checklist, which you can download here.

Thank you to  A Lighter Touch for funding the workshop series.

Andrew Blakeman is a GROWSAFE spray calibrator based in Gisborne and is available to connect with growers, whether you’d like your sprayer calibrated or want to talk through your spray set-up. To get in touch, or 027 281 6339.

New Appointment- R&D Coordinator

We are pleased to announce that Rob Silberbauer, our Market Access and Biosecurity Adviser, has been appointed R&D Co-ordinator, starting 1 December. The role bridges our market access and biosecurity workstreams and connects projects with R&D.

The appointment completes the transition we have been working through towards a more robust and accountable operating model. It also helps keep each stage of the R&D process independent, which supports sound, impartial decision-making.

Rob will turn the priorities approved through our Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) into clearly defined research projects, support our annual R&D programme, and bring in relevant research from other organisations. The result is a stronger link between industry priorities and the research that is commissioned to deliver them.

Lincoln University Value Chain Survey-Grower data required

Citrus NZ is working to understand what happens to the value of New Zealand citrus as it moves from the orchard to the consumer. A clear, evidence-based picture of where value is gained or lost along the way helps us focus on what improves grower profitability.

Over the past couple of months we have been working with Lincoln University and packhouses to gather this information. The work is being led by Dr Ariel Singerman, who has led similar work in Florida, where he assessed the economic impact of HLB (huanglongbing) on growers and producers.

The packhouse data is now largely complete and we are seeking on- orchard data from growers who are willing to share it, for the following types of operation:

a) a small growing operation (under 1ha)
b) a medium-sized operation (3 to 10ha)
c) a mixed-cropping operation, where citrus is one of the crops

The survey can be completed here and emailed directly to Dr Ariel Singerman at . All data is confidential and anonymised. If you are interested in contributing, please send the survey by 30 November.

Industry Support

Sector Ground Truthing Project: Please Return Your Map

Working with Landkind, we’ve now pinpointed the majority of citrus orchards across the country. The next step is filling in variety details on the blocks where they’re still incomplete.

Most orchard maps have now been emailed to the growers affected, and the rest are on their way. If you’ve received yours, please mark the varieties on each block and return it to . It should only take a few minutes.

If you haven’t received a map and think you should have, or you’re unsure what to mark, get in touch at the same address.

We’re aiming to have every orchard fully mapped by December. Early next year, we’ll share an industry-wide summary of varieties and total hectares, giving growers, packhouses and the wider sector a clear picture of New Zealand’s citrus landscape.

In Brief

Market Monitoring Report: changes to how we capture and report data

Each year, Citrus NZ releases a Market Monitoring Report giving an overview of volume trends across the season. Historically, this information has been captured at the first point of sale and reported the following year.

CNZ is changing where this information is captured and how it is reported. We intend to report the data back to the sector every six weeks. The new reporting mechanism is currently under review. We will notify packhouses as soon as the review is complete.

Have you say on a Lighter Touch: 5-10 minute survey

A Lighter Touch wraps up at the end of March 2027, and the ALT team wants your feedback. Take the 5-10 minute survey to help show what ALT has achieved for growers and how future programmes can be better. Complete the survey here and you’ll go in the draw to win one of four $50 PGG Wrightson/Fruitfed Supplies vouchers.

Expression of interest: Valencia oranges for fresh juice

CNZ has received an enquiry from an Auckland business developing a fresh orange juice vending machine operation, which is looking to establish a reliable, long-term supply of Valencia oranges suitable for juice extraction. The business is interested in medium sized Tag 2 or juice grade fruit.

The business is starting with five machines and expects to need around 800kg of fruit per week initially, with plans to expand as it grows. It is seeking a consistent supply arrangement rather than occasional spot purchases.

Businesses (inclusive of growers, packhouses, marketers and wholesalers) who may be able to supply are invited to register their interest, including details of pricing, seasonal availability, order requirements, fruit specifications and delivery to Auckland.

To register your interest, please contact Kai Ngoi, Ascentis Ltd, 0272644205, Kai Ngoi

Citrus bursary open to tertiary students

Citrus New Zealand is inviting applications for the Clark Fletcher Memorial Citrus Bursary. The $5,000 bursary supports tertiary students with a specific interest in the citrus industry, or whose research is likely to benefit New Zealand citrus.

Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. Applications close on 30 November 2026. For more information visit the Citrus NZ website or download the form here