Hawke's Bay orchards are bustling with activity as the region's apple season kicks into high gear. Amidst the lush greenery, the first shipment of apples for the season is poised to embark to distant shores — marking a significant moment for both growers and consumers alike.
After the challenges posed by Cyclone Gabrielle, anticipation ran high within the industry for the inaugural shipment. It symbolised not just the resilience of the growers but also the economic prospects riding on the need for successful exports.
T&G Craig Kenny said it was hard to over-estimate the scale of the endeavour. "It has a ripple effect up and down the East Coast, he said.
"It's neat to get here after last year. We didn't quite know how it was all going to pan out but [it's taken] a hell of a lot of mahi over the past 12 months to get here."
Some of the first fruits of their labours to be headed out were from the latest crop of Royal Gala apples.
With plans to pack roughly 25 containers a week initially, ramping up to 100 containers weekly as the season progressed, the volume of fruit destined for international markets was substantial.
For many in the industry, this moment arrived as a welcome relief after a challenging year.
Scott Griffin from Rocket Apples highlighted the rebound experienced this year, with a doubling of crop compared to the previous year, a stark contrast to the losses incurred due to the cyclone.
As the shipment prepared to set sail, orchardists and industry leaders alike were optimistic about the economic boost it promised to bring.
More than 100 containers were loaded on the first day alone, containing around 14.6 million apples numbers — with that number expected to grow to six times that in just a few weeks.
Apples at the core of a port's business
Todd Dawson, CEO of Napier Port, underscored the pivotal role of the horticulture industry in driving economic activity in the region, particularly during the peak season.
"We're coming into our peak horticulture season at the moment, and so we typically see... somewhere around 1500 apple containers alone through a week, so it's quite a busy period," he said.
"Ninety percent of our cargo goes above the equator and 80-odd percent of this at this port comes from 100km away. It's all the primary sector that the country relies on, so the port is a big part of making sure that system works efficiently.”
As the finest produce from Hawke's Bay began headed out to international markets, it not only showcased the region's agricultural prowess but also reaffirmed its position on the global stage.
The maiden shipment of these apples symbolised not just a season's harvest but also the resilience and determination of a community to thrive against the odds.
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