The kiwifruit industry’s confidence of a successful season - despite the spread of the vine disease PSA -  has been underlined by grower and packing company Seeka’s bullish forecast.

Seeka has confirmed an unchanged revenue forecast for the nine months to December 31 of between $11.5 and $12.5m.

Chief Executive Michael Franks says the company’s performance so far this season warrants their optimism.

“We’ve had a very strong six-month performance, our ebitda [earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation]is at $24.5m up from $17.7m for the same period last year, and at this stage we’re uncertain about any impact of PSA.”

Mr. Franks says the company will review its finances early next year when more is known about the extent of the disease.

“We’ll consider the PSA situation again when we see our financial accounts at the end of December.

"If there’s any [changes] to be made we’ll make them then, at this stage…we don’t think there’s any adjustments to be made but we’ll know better in a month.”

RETHINK ON MERGER

Meantime, Kiwifruit packing firm Satara Co-operative has  postponed a plan to merge with Eastpac because of the killer vine blight.

The companies were planning on merging their businesses to form a wholly grower-owned unit.

Satara says uncertainty around the impact of PSA means the original price and deal structure are now under review.

It will no longer be put to a shareholder vote next month.

Satara chairman Hendrik Pieters says the deal needs to be looked at again.

“Basically what we’re having to do is just go through and rework our numbers based on any potential downside with regard to PSA.”

Talks are continuing and a new deal may go to shareholders for approval early next year.