Avocado growers supplying Seeka have enjoyed record payouts for the 2015/2016 season. Seeka’s avocado category manager Lynnaire Avers says higher returns are the result of a close working relationship with local avocado growers.

“We’ve been working with growers to get the best returns from their orchards. While helping growers produce bigger crops has been a big factor, our growers also know that collectively we need to match our picking and supply programme to market demand.”

“This includes supplying our retail partners with quality New Zealand avocados right through the key Christmas and holiday period.

“To manage a long supply season, Seeka’s growers are paid late harvest incentives for fruit picked in December onwards.

“These top-up payments have contributed to outstanding Orchard Gate Returns, with local Bay of Plenty growers receiving on average $29.82 per export tray,” says Lynnaire.

Ben Tuck - Seeka Client Relationship Manager and Seeka’s Avocado Category Manager Lynnaire Avers.

Seeka operates a full orchard-to-market programme that includes expert on-orchard support, a free fertiliser programme, all post-harvest services, and in integrated marketing programme that sees Bay of Plenty avocados being sold in Australia and Asia in the distinctive Seeka blue box.

“Our integrated service is definitely a big factor in the record payments. Our growers are closer to the market and we are able to rapidly adjust supply to generate the best returns. “We have a streamlined supply system that delivers quality Bay of Plenty avocados to premium retailers,” says Lynnaire.

“Our next harvest season will be starting shortly, and our growers are looking forward to reaping the rewards of a bumper crop.”