Established Waikato persimmon orchard

Long Ridge orchard, in the foreground at 811 Hakarimata Rd, Huntly, is on the banks of the Waikato River. Photo / Supplied

A pioneering orchard in the Waikato growing the niche crop of persimmons is for sale.

Long Ridge orchard, a 4ha property near Huntly in North Waikato, has been growing persimmons commercially since the mid-1980s, and was among the leaders producing persimmons in New Zealand.

When the property first began producing persimmons, just 20 tonnes of the fruit was exported. By 1989 that figure had grown to 400 tonnes, and by the early 2000s exports had reached 12,800 tonnes — a figure which has remained relatively consistent.

Most of the New Zealand harvest is exported around the Pacific.

The Long Ridge orchard, at 811 Hakarimata Rd, has produced an average of 60 tonnes of persimmons a year, equal to 15,100 trays over the past three seasons. The orchard's 2017/18 harvest generated a gross income of $220,547 from the 2.3ha canopy orchard.

It is planted with the Fuyu variety of persimmon, the most common variety grown in New Zealand due to its non-astringent taste, meaning it can be eaten while still crisp. Persimmons grown in New Zealand mature in April and May — with the resulting export season running through to the end of July.

The freehold orchard land and its supporting infrastructure and buildings are being marketed for sale by negotiation through Bayleys Hamilton.

Salespersons Peter Kelly and Karl Davis say fruit grown at the orchard goes to an industry-recognised packhouse in North Auckland, where the focus is on export markets with the remainder sent to the domestic market.

They says the orchard has had outstanding husbandry, its crop protected from winds by established shelter belts around the perimeter. The orchard is on sandy loam soils and a professionally recommended fertiliser programme is followed.

Irrigation is from a consented 13m bore, with water pumped around the orchard through 50mm main lines and 13mm lateral feeders. The orchard is situated in a picturesque valley next to the Waikato River.

Kelly says buildings supporting the orchard's activities and featured in the package for sale, include a 160sq m four-bedroom/two-bathroom brick and weatherboard home with swimming pool; a three-bay steel-clad implement shed with concrete flooring; lockable tool storage area, and toilet; a steel-clad spray storage shed; a brick and timber irrigation pump shed.

Kelly says machinery includes a Ferrari orchard tractor, crop sprayer, weed sprayer, fertiliser spreader, mower, picking, pruning equipment, irrigation pumps and controls.

"Long Ridge has produced consistently, using proven growing and plant management systems to supply an international export marketing company," says Kelly. "Overseas demand for the fruit has not yet been fully satisfied."

Situated near other small landholdings, there is the potential to either purchase or lease other land in the vicinity to increase output using existing plant and equipment, he says.