Services

Packing & Coolstorage

Having an efficient single site operation that employs experienced staff, means your fruit gets the best of care every step of the way.  Our dedicated knowledgeable team look after your fruit from the moment it is trucked in. Our packhouse staff are well trained and committed to doing the best job they can. They take pride in their work and care about grower results. Birchwood’s coolstore operators know how to get the best from their inventory, and quality inspections are carried out to make sure the fruit remains in optimal condition. Meticulous inventory management minimises fruit loss, meaning more money in our grower’s pockets.

Harvest & Cartage

Every aspect of the harvest can be taken care of for you including cartage from the orchard to the packhouse.  Birchwood will manage your harvest so your orchard is picked when fruit is at its best maturity for storage performance.   Harvest contractors are audited during picking so you can have confidence that best practice hygiene and harvest procedures are being followed.

Our orchard management and leasing programmes are designed to work for you, the grower, to achieve the best results possible.

Orchard Management

We take the time to assess your orchard and discuss your individual needs. Then we will work with you to tailor a detailed management plan which provides as much or as little assistance as you require.  Be involved in the decisions, while not having to do the day to day work.  Your orchard manager will meet with you regularly to keep you up to date with activities. This is an excellent arrangement for both new orchard owners wanting to gain some expertise, or experienced growers wanting to step back. 

Leasing Option

Use our knowledge and experience to give you freedom and peace of mind. Birchwood will respect your investment in your orchard. If you choose to lease we outline the operational costs for you and keep you fully informed with regular financial reports. There are no hidden costs. We will ensure your orchard reaches its full potential.

“In just one growing season, Birchwood’s canopy management turned our orchard around. In the ten years that we have been here our result has never been this good! We have renewed enthusiasm for orcharding and are looking forward to many more profitable years.”
- Ros & Ron Smith

Technical Advice

If leasing or management are not for you don’t worry, our orchard team are here to listen and help with everything from spray programmes and pollination to nutrition, pest monitoring and industry compliance.  We recognise the importance of sharing information so run regular field days and grower events where you can discuss ideas and methods in an open and supportive environment with both fellow growers and our industry experts.

Monitoring & Laboratory Services

Our laboratory at Birchwood is run by experienced staff.  Your fruit will be monitored and tested through to maturity which helps us make important decisions running up to the harvest.  Once harvested inventory is tested to ensure quality and peak performance.

We also provide Kiwigreen monitoring, bud and flower counts, crop estimations and GAP auditing.  All designed to allow you to keep your finger on the pulse of your orchards health and industry compliance.