March Citrus News ’25

Welcome to the March edition of Citrus News. It’s a bumper issue full of news and the launch of some great initiatives in the grower engagement space so please make sure you take the time to read through it.

I must say that I have been impressed by the quality of the crop I am seeing out in the Gisborne region. It’s always quite satisfying to see that colour break in early season Sats, the sizing and growth in Meyer Lemons and fresh NZ Limes being harvested in good numbers. For Satsuma in particular I have been impressed with fruit finish and fruit size. Volume wise we know it’s still a bit patchy out there but big clean fruit will go a long way to making up for any shortfall in volume. New season NZ Satsumas herald the start of a new season and from what I have see growers have done a fantastic job of growing a great crop during what has been a mixed bag of a season weather-wise.

Economically I think we are starting to see some green shoots when it comes to consumer spending. I had a meeting with a large national freight company yesterday and just like the old truckometer that is a bone-fide measure of economic activity he reiterated that the freight industry is the barometer of how NZ is tracking economically. He said that across most sectors but especially the building trade and consumer goods are starting to show signs of a resurgence and that the drop off in trade that normally happens after Christmas was less than last year. Falling interest rates will help stimulate the economy and help increase discretionary spending. For fresh fruit and produce it’s still tough out there, plentiful supply and average consumer demand across most sectors means it’s still a struggle but as we head into Autumn and Winter there is an opportunity for citrus to shine particularly if we are delivering great looking and great tasting fruit.

First things First though. Please get out or at least get on-line and VOTE! Voting for the CNZ Commodity Levy opened just over a couple of weeks ago and remains open until April 2^nd. As I write this only 14% of growers have voted. Later in this newsletter is an article that sets out in detail what your levy funds will be used for but I can also tell you that many of the new initiatives I outline below will simply not be possible if there is no Levy and without a levy CNZ will cease to exist. In order for the levy referendum to pass more than 50% of growers by number have to vote in favour and the growers voting in favour have to represent more than 75% of the total tonnage.

The CNZ board has met twice over the last couple of weeks, once on-line and once in-person. It was a marathon session as there was a ton of stuff to talk through and move forward with.  We have made some tweaks to the strategy and purpose of CNZ. Short punchier statements that succinctly capture the essence of what CNZ does.

The new vision is: An  enduring, thriving and innovative sector that supports New Zealand citrus growers

The new purpose is: To empower and support growers to sustainably maximise productivity and profitability

I need to thank the board for their time and effort. We all have ‘day jobs’ and are volunteers so giving up a day and half to work on and for the industry is a big commitment and sacrifice. The board is keen to take the show on the road so to speak and rotate its in-perosn board meetings around various packhouses and marketing companies. A big thank you to Kaiaponi Packhouse to host us last week. By rotating these meetings around we hope to gain better insights and understanding on industry issues. If you are keen to host us please contact Jo for a schedule of board meeting dates. The next board meeting is in April.

Right, as I said earlier we are launching a couple of new initiatives to try and improve grower engagement and give growers more opportunity to have greater industry awareness and insight as well as input.

The first of these are the new RAG groups which will feed into SHED Talks. Details on the RAG groups and how they will operate is detailed in a later article. We are now calling for expressions of interest from growers to be part of the three RAG groups. If you want to be involved we would love to hear from you but remember its that old adage “We can only lead the horse to water, we can’t make it drink”!

The board is also looking at the opportunity and feasibility of setting up a Focus Orchard and then a series of Focus Orchard Workshops at which growers can engage and be informed around new techniques, best practice methods and benchmark orchard performance. It’s a big undertaking and a 3-5 year project so site selection, engaging a great facilitator and looking at the the desired outcomes and objectives of the focus orchard will be crucial to the success of this project. Stay tuned for further updates as we start to flesh this out.

Don’t forget also to visit the CNZ website on a regular basis as there frequent updates and new bits of information on there that will be useful for growers. If you can’t log into the grower portal or cant remember your password please contact Jo and she will get you sorted. You can also find previous copies of the newsletter on there.

We are working on details for this years conference and AGM, with more information—plus a revamped sponsorship package, coming next month.  Sponsors play a vital role in making this event and other grower engagement activities possible, so it is important they receive strong recognition and appreciation for their contributions.

As you can see plenty going on and your levy money hard at work!

All the best for a great season and we will be in touch in May.

Regards

Ian Albers, Chair Citrus NZ

PS DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!

With less than THREE weeks remaining to cast your vote, a reminder for all eligible voters to participate in the referendum.

The Citrus Commodity Levy is vital to our industry, funding crucial initiatives in research and development, market access, quality assurance programmes, grower engagement and Citrus NZ operations. These efforts are essential for maintaining a strong, competitive, and sustainable sector.

By participating in the levy referendum, growers can play a key role in shaping the future of the citrus sector. Grower participation reflects the shared commitment to collaboration, ensuring Citrus NZ have the resources needed to tackle challenges and embrace new opportunities.

All eligible growers were emailed a voting pack on 25 February from Electionz. If you have not yet received a pack, please email

Thank you to our growers for suggesting research topics and article content. In response, we’ll explore Lemon Tree Borer management and feature a summary in the May edition of Citrus News.

Our Future Orchards Programme is currently reviewing Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs), including thinning sprays, gibberellic acid (GA), and Stop Drop, aligning with grower interests. This review will encompass recent developments and potential trials for new products or applications.

As autumn approaches, citrus growers should focus on several key practices during March and April to ensure tree health and optimise future yields.

Fertilisation for Spring/Summer Harvested Crops

For varieties such as Valencia, Encore, Afourer and Star Ruby grapefruit that were harvested over the summer, it’s critical to apply ground-based fertiliser during the autumn root and foliage flush. This timing supports both the sizing of next season’s fruit and the upcoming spring flowering. Ideally, fertilisation should be guided by soil test results. Collaborate with your local merchant or fertiliser representative to conduct soil tests and obtain tailored recommendations.

Foliar nutrition can also continue during periods of new growth. Applying nitrogen-based foliar feeds, post-harvest benefits these trees, as they often carry multiple crops and lack the rest period that winter-harvested varieties, like satsumas, experience.

Autumn is an opportune time for leaf testing. Your merchant or fertilizer representative can facilitate these tests, which have a quick turnaround. This allows for timely nutrient applications based on the results before winter sets in.

Fungicide Applications Across All Citrus Crops

As cooler and wetter weather becomes prevalent, the risk of fungal diseases such as brown rot, melanose, scab, and Alternaria increases. While the selection of fungicides registered for citrus is limited, there are a range of active ingredients and modes of action available. Choose products based on the specific diseases you aim to control.

For export-oriented growers, be mindful of market-specific restrictions on certain fungicides. Always consult with your exporter before applying any treatments to ensure compliance with export standards.

In November 2024, Citrus NZ was represented at the International Citrus Congress (ICC) in Jeju, South Korea. Held every four years, the ICC is a key global event that brings together citrus researchers, growers, and industry professionals to share the latest advancements in citrus production, innovation, and market trends.

The conference covered a broad range of topics, including breeding and genetics, climate resilience, disease management, and postharvest technologies. A notable insight from Jeju’s citrus industry was the widespread use of tunnels and greenhouses to extend the mandarin season to nearly year-round production.

With multiple sessions running concurrently, the focus was on topics most relevant to New Zealand growers and upcoming R&D work. A full report, including key takeaways from the conference and field trip, is available here, providing valuable insights into the current and future state of the global citrus industry.