The report of business trip to New Zealand（2008/1/19）

Hiroshi Nakamura, Keigo Nakamura, Toyohachi Nomura

Thank you for your usual cooperation and treatment.
From January 8th to 13th,we three people visited New Zealand(NZ). We visited all the growers to check all fields and all lots. We report as follows.

１．Acreage increase but commercial bulbs may be same as last year.!?

	2005	2006	2007	2008	difference from last year
ＮＺ　acreage（ha）	111	126.7	166.3	197.5	18.8%increase

Mainly Van Zanten and Island bulb increase the acreage of crop 2008, so total acreage 2008 NZ increases 31.2 ha (+ 18.8% than last year). The increase rate might look not so big, but they increased 70.8 ha in last two years, we feel it is quite a lot.
However, acreage of this year include first year’s of 2 and 1.5 year’s culture, also scales fields, so quantity of commercial size may be not so different from last year.
Total acreage in NZ is about 200 ha!! It is almost same as in France. Island bulb, Vanzanten and Bakker increase, on the other hand, Southern flora decrease.

２．Not too hot, enough sunshine will make the bulbs powerful, if growers solve the problem of dryness!?
　In September and October, when they start planting, it was rather cool, in the beginning of October it rained one week or 10 days, so they had to stop planting once.
In third week of October, －２℃ frost happened, it caused some frost damage at certain field. In November it was cool, but it got hot in December suddenly, enough sunshine, a little rain, then growers needed irrigation. Usually, before Christmas they need not irrigation, but they should start irrigation even before December in this season, it is special. They are doing it every day when we visited.
Now, in summer, sea wind takes cold weather about 20℃ sometimes, but usually weather is fine, it gets more than 30℃ sometimes.
　The following graph is climate in Christ Church where close to fields of Van Zanten and Bakker in Rakaia. So far, we find more sunshine than unusual, except it, it looks quite normal.
　Fields look very beautiful. We guess the reason that weather is good, enough sunshine and also many irrigations might clean the dirty leaves?
Last year summer was cold, cloudy, less sunshine though, if such good weather will continue, we hope the bulbs to have enought power contents in this year.
　It is too early to say about enlargement. Now growers are finishing de-budding, bulbs ate their own scales to grow plants so far, then we did not find so big enlargement after planting(last year when crop condition and enlargement were good, we already found some enlargement at that time). Enlargement depends on the weather from second half of January till April. At the moment, rain is much less, so fields is getting dry, it is important how they can give enough artificial irrigation.
　By the way, sunshine in New Zealand at this time has terrible strong UV. Indeed temperature was not so high, but it causes sunburn so much. When you will visit there, you should take an anti-sun tan cream and a cap with you!

３．Situation of each grower
「Island bulb」（Napier, East of North island）：More than 25ha. They started to export Japan from last year. Popularity of forcers in Japan is not bad. If they will be able to keep good quality in this year and later, they are very promising.

「Van Zanten」（Rakaia, North east of South island）：More than 100ha. Last year and this year again, they increased a lot, their acreage is more than 100ha(it is nearly limit for one grower?). They intend to have more efficient processing lines, and to rent the cool warehouse of vegetable growers too, they are already
preparing for harvest. Last year they did mistake of dipping disinfection, they caused penicillium and rotten problem in some bulbs though, they must come back to used chemical to avoid the problem. About half of total 2007 SH bulbs imported to Japan came from Van Zanten NZ, so we should look forward to their good quality, we Nakamura-Noen will support to cooperate with them by giving useful information for them etc. now and later.

「Bakker」（Rakaia, North east of South island）：More than 35ha. They built a new cool warehouse, also they are going to expand a warehouse in this year. They aim better efficient processing. Several years ago, they caused virus problem partly, so they must be very careful about quality, nowadays they are reliable growers. They grow Robina too.

「Shouthern flora」（Gore, south of south island）：More than 20ha. Last 4 years weather were unusual there? It rained a lot, cold and less sunshine in summer. But this year, weather is good, the condition of fields look much better than before. They built a new warehouse and cool warehouse, it is more than 3000 ㎡, they can hope more efficient processing and control after harvest. Now they have enough facility, so they are looking forward more growing, for not only De Jong but also for other growers.


Island bulb（Napier）	Island bulb（Napier）	Van Zanten their own fields（Rakaia）	Van Zanten their own fields（Rakaia）

irrigation （Rakaia,growers fields）	Bakker（Rakaia）	Our web-site in English （in Bakker）	Southern flora（Gore）