Zespri International says 100 percent of its New Zealand-grown kiwifruit crop has been picked and packed, and over 50 percent has been shipped overseas.
In one record-setting load-out, kiwifruit was loaded on to Seatrade-operated reefer vessel Hansa Lubeck, in 16.5 hours using an eight pallet lifting cage - a job for which 24 hours has historically been the benchmark.
A week later, the Fresh Carriers Corporation's Asian Brier, which loads only two pallets at a time, was loaded in 21.5 hours.
Ian Mearns, general manager of Tauranga Kiwifruit Logistics Limited, the company which coordinates the ship loading said both operations had been an outstanding effort by the whole industry. The tasks have been helped by having product quickly available and additional buffer store space at Port Tauranga, and the work of stevedores.
"Everyone seems to be energised and motivated to be working harder than ever-before," he said. "We really rolled-up our sleeves and worked together".
Zespri supply chain general manager Sally Gardiner said in a statement that streamlining of some processes had helped.
The final shipment of Zespri's gold kiwifruit is expected to leave the Tauranga in the first week of August. Shipping of green kiwifruit will continue through to mid-November.
NZPA