The last charter vessel with this season's export kiwifruit crop on board leaves the Port of Tauranga this week.

Zespri says the ship is bound for Japan and marks the close of the season  set to return more than $847 million to growers.

Grower services director of corporate Carol Ward says the company has exported nearly 102 million trays of kiwifruit this season.

 “It’s actually been a really good year for us,” said Ms. Ward. “We’ll export in total about 102 million trays, and forecast return this year is up around 14 million dollars – an average of 15% per tray. It’s been challenging market conditions, but we’re seeing some recovery in those global markets after the recession and that’s certainly helping.”

Shipments of the final 10% of this year's crop will be sent on container ships, until late November.