New Zealand: Cherry plantations are intensified to export to Asia and Europe
These are the first 12 hectares of cherry trees that have been planted at the Monte de Pisa station, in the center of Otago, marking - at the same time - the end of the first stage of cherry development of NZ $ 15.5m (US $ 9.7m) from Hortinvest.
In this first stage, 7.500 trees were planted, while in a second stage a larger plantation is expected, which is scheduled for the winter of 2020. In this way, as a whole, the final planting will figure for the winter of 2021 a total 53.000 trees spread over 80ha.
The Mt Pisa development is one of Hortinvest's two NZ $ 15.5 million cherry developments in the region, as stage one planting at the Lindis Peaks station has also been completed. Both developments are expected to produce premium quality cherries for export to Asian and European markets from the summer of 2021-2022.
Ross Kirk, Hortinvest project and orchard manager, highlighted the start of the project as successful. "Now irrigation is being installed so that we can begin to channel water (from the Clutha river) to the newly planted trees," he added.
"We are also in the final stages of negotiations with several large investors seeking to commit to the Mt Pisa project, which now has more than 49% subscribed," Kirk said.
The landowners of the Mt Pisa station, the MacMillan family, were among the key investors who signed the plantation as the development approached the investment term of the September 27.
Shane MacMillan, Mt Pisa station manager, said projected returns from the family's involvement in cherry development would deliver 4.600 ha in one year.
"The intensive nature of cherry production means that returns arrive faster (than agriculture)," MacMillan said.
“We are lucky to have land that is ideal for cherry production, as well as access to the Clutha River for water. Everything has been quite fast since we started talking about it, and next year, we will have the second complete planting. "
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