Wayne says that's good news for New Zealand consumers who can enjoy top quality fruit which has been grown and ripened by up to 2,200 hours of Gisborne sunshine. Gisborne is New Zealand's largest growing region for Navel oranges and in the last eight to 10 years significant new plantings, including of new varieties, have been carried out, meaning production levels are steadily increasing.

Growers are advised by the independent testers when their fruit is ready to harvest, and Wayne says the two main supermarket chains are also supporting the voluntary program. 'The majority of growers and marketers are supporting the system which sees samples of fruit taken from orchards and tested for Brix and acid levels.” Wayne says a voluntary industry initiative to independently test Navel oranges for ripeness before harvest is helping guarantee consumers enjoy the best possible taste experience and be encouraged to make repeat purchases. The Navel orange harvest is well underway in Gisborne. 'New Zealand grown Navel oranges are picked within days of them appearing in our supermarkets so consumers know they are eating the freshest of fruits which haven't been picked weeks ago and spent time being shipped here,” he says. orange and tangelo product group chairman Wayne Hall. Strong>The Navel orange harvest is well underway in Gisborne and Kiwis will soon have access to high quality vitamin-rich, fresh and locally grown citrus, says New Zealand Citrus Growers Inc.

Golden harvest farms hand sanitizer