Total operating revenue fell nearly 6 percent to $4.22 billion this year. Photo: Zespri / supplied
Its net profit for the 12 months ended March was $237.8 million, down from last year's record $361.5m.
Total operating revenue fell nearly 6 percent to $4.22 billion, with global sales volume down from 201.5 million trays to 183.5 million trays.
Increased quality and other costs resulted in grower returns being down on the record highs of recent seasons, with green and sungold Kiwifruit per hectare returns outside the lower end of the season's initial forecast ranges.
Growers were paid $5.78 a tray of green for the 2022-23 season, down from $6.35 the year before, while gold growers got $9.97 - a whole $1.54 lower.
Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson said costs associated with fruit quality issues jumped from $307m in 2021/22 to $534m in 2022/23.
"The results are indicative of what's been a very difficult period for many primary industries, with growers facing challenges relating to the labour shortage, the ongoing impacts of Covid-19, the climate and rising costs.
Dan Mathieson. Photo: Zespri / supplied
"This was one of our toughest-ever seasons and the industry worked incredibly hard to deliver our fruit to market, despite facing an extraordinary number of challenges."
Mathieson said the lower returns for growers shows the importance of the industry's efforts to improve quality, which remains a key driver in delivering stronger returns in future years.
"We know this is a challenging period for growers, particularly green growers, given the fact we also have lower volumes of fruit in the 2023/24 season.
"The investment we've made in building consumer demand and a world-leading fruit brand, alongside our long-term customer and supply chain relationships, means we're well placed to get back on track and increase the value we can deliver back to growers, the industry and New Zealand communities."
Kiwifruit ready for export. Photo: Zespri / supplied
He said the industry was working hard across the supply chain to reduce quality costs and to deliver consistently great quality fruit.
"While conditions remain challenging, the first shipments of the 2023/24 season have been well received by our customers, indicating initiatives from the industry's Quality Action Plan are helping reduce quality costs and keeping poorer quality fruit onshore."