2022 New Zealand apple harvest begins

New Zealand’s 2022 apple season is underway, with T&G Global harvesting the first of this season’s apples.

T&G is planning to pick more than 6.5 million tray carton equivalents this year, the company said in a news release.

Quality is looking good across all varieties this season, with fruit generally sizing well, Craig Betty, T&G's director of operations, said in the release. 

“For our premium JAZZ and Envy brands, we’re seeing good quality and fruit size better than 2021,” Betty said in the release.

T&G’s early season apple, branded Poppi, is the company’s first variety harvested in February, followed by royal gala, JAZZ and Envy over the coming months, according to the release.

With a high-quality crop expected, T&G is doing what it can to manage the season's challenges, the release said.

“Without a doubt, it’s going to be a tough season given New Zealand’s tight labor market, the absence of working holiday visa workers, continuing global supply chain challenges and the ongoing impact of COVID-19 across the country and globe,” Betty said in the release. “For the last two years, we’ve worked with COVID-19, prioritizing the safety and well-being of our people, growers and communities – while at the same time, keeping fresh produce flowing to customers and consumers. This year, we’ll do it again, but we’re under no illusion as to how difficult the year will be."

The company is recruiting labor across the country to minimize shortage, the company said.