Central Otago, New Zealand’s premier cherry-growing region, is navigating a complex harvest season marked by strong international demand, particularly ahead of the Lunar New Year, and a commitment to vertically integrated operations. Clyde Orchards, a family-run business with roots dating back to , exemplifies this trend, controlling every stage from orchard to export market.
The timing of the harvest is crucial, aligning with the celebrations surrounding the Lunar New Year. The vibrant color of the fruit – described as shades of “deep plum and ruby jewels” – makes it a highly sought-after gift and celebratory item. According to Clyde Orchards manager Kris Robb, the company is currently processing cherries picked the same day, prioritizing freshness and stalk integrity before cooling and storage.
Clyde Orchards’ success is built on a substantial landholding of over 105 hectares spread across three sites – Earnscleugh, Bannockburn near Cromwell, and Bendigo. The company’s unique position as a fully integrated operation – growing, packing, exporting, and marketing its own fruit – is a key driver of its viability, according to Robb. “It really means that we’re in charge of our own destiny,” he stated.
This vertical integration allows Clyde Orchards to focus on “high-end niche products,” enabling tight control over cultivation, packing, and sales. The company isn’t simply responding to market demands; it’s actively shaping them. This strategy is particularly important in a region known for its extreme climate – hot, dry summers and cold winters – which presents both challenges and opportunities for fruit production.
The region’s climate is, in fact, a key advantage. Robb explained that the cold winters provide the necessary “winter chilling” hours required for fruit trees to properly prepare for the growing season. The subsequent hot summers contribute to pest and disease control and enhance the flavor profile of the fruit, resulting in the “juicy, sweet flavours” consumers desire.
Beyond cherries, Clyde Orchards also cultivates flat peaches, known as “flattos,” and is the sole commercial grower, packer, and distributor of this variety in New Zealand. The cherry harvest, spanning approximately eight weeks from mid-December, is primarily geared towards export markets including Taiwan, China, Malaysia, and Singapore.
This year’s harvest has presented some challenges due to a wetter-than-usual summer, causing a slight delay. However, Robb emphasized the importance of prioritizing fruit maturity and quality over speed.
Labor is a critical component of the harvest process, with Clyde Orchards employing a workforce of over 150 people at peak season. This team is a diverse mix of local residents – ranging from high school students to retirees – backpackers, and 20 workers from Vanuatu participating in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) program.
The RSE program, initiated in , addresses labor shortages in the horticulture and viticulture sectors while supporting economic development in participating Pacific nations. Clyde Orchards has been involved with the program since its inception, and many of its Vanuatu workers have been returning for nearly two decades.
The long-term relationships with RSE workers are mutually beneficial. Workers like Mike Mangau, who has been coming to Clyde Orchards from Vanuatu for almost 20 years, are able to invest their earnings in projects back home, such as coffee plantations, beekeeping businesses, and even a local kindergarten. Despite the challenges of being away from home for extended periods – Mangau arrived in October and will remain until May – the opportunity to contribute to both the New Zealand economy and his own community is highly valued.
Clyde Orchards has recently invested in infrastructure to support its workforce, opening a new 10-room accommodation unit for RSE workers inspired by a traditional Vanuatuan meeting house. This demonstrates a commitment to providing comfortable and culturally sensitive housing for its international employees.
While this year’s harvest volume is down, it is not considered a disaster. The company is now shifting its focus to the peach harvest, continuing its strategy of vertical integration and a commitment to delivering high-quality fruit to discerning international markets.
