Green kiwifruit volumes will drop from 90 million trays to 70 million trays this season, but gold volumes are expected to climb as more vines reach maturity.
Zespri grower and government relations general manager Dave Courtney says it is still looking at the second-largest crop in its history and the 2017 season was looking great.
"All indications are that the fruit is sizing well on the vines as we head towards harvest, with taste levels tracking well. Each season is different and climatic factors affect volumes differently each year but long-term, our strong total volume growth will continue as SunGold volumes increase to meet consumer demand around the world."
The first harvest of SunGold and Green is normally around mid-March in New Zealand and rolls out over several months, he says.
"Fruit maturity is affected by seasonal weather conditions and growers can only harvest their orchards once the fruit has reached the required levels of maturity and taste (brix and dry matter).