Dry weather bodes well for 2008 New Zealand harvest

Published: 23 July, 2008

Dry weather last year and a larger producing area mean the New Zealand wine harvest is set to be impressive in 2008.

This was the message from Philip Gregan, chief executive at New Zealand Winegrowers.

He said this year's harvest was expected to produce between 225,000 and 245,000 tonnes of grapes - up from 205,000 tonnes last year.

Gregan commented: "In 2007 New Zealand wine exports grew strongly - they were up 24% in value to $761 million and 30% in volume to 84 million litres. As a result of the strong demand, many leading wineries are now experiencing supply constraints with key varieties and they are eagerly looking forward to a larger vintage.

"The increased supply will drive further export growth in the year ahead, toward the forecast $1 billion in 2010.

"The increased harvest is the result of a larger producing area - up 2,000 hectares from 2007 to 27,000 hectares - combined with a return to more normal yields in a number of regions after a cool flowering lowered the 2007 crops."

Prolonged periods of dry weather over last summer also proved favourable for the 2008 vintage, Gregan added.

The New Zealand harvest began a fortnight ago in Gisborne and will run through until the middle of May.

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