Kiwifruit marketer Zespri is forecasting strong returns for growers

The industry's packed a record amount of fruit for this time in the season, and its first charter shipments have already left the country.

A total crop of more than 205-million trays -- or 738-thousand tonnes -- is now expected.

Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty could still affect global trade.

But Zespri says feedback from customers in Europe, China and North America, suggest there's strong demand for kiwifruit.