New Zealand harvest returns to normal volumes but who will pick it?
New Zealand harvest returns to normal volumes after a low production, but there are concerns about getting pickers during current Covid outbreak.
Covid is currently establishing itself in New Zealand and with the border still shut to almost all countries, getting pickers for the harvest is going to make a hard vintage.
After the light 2021 harvest which saw volumes fall by 19% against a typical year, New Zealand sold 48 million litres more wine than was harvested in 2021, emptying out stocks. So, this year's projected return to a typical harvest will be a relief to all producers.
New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said: The unavailability of skilled workers due to the ongoing closure of New Zealand’s borders means undoubtedly this vintage will be more difficult to manage than normal.
