One of New Zealand's largest apple companies has produced another record crop this year, contributing to positive financial results for parent company Scales Corporation Limited (NZX:SCL).

After reporting a 3% rise in EBIT to NZ$33.8 million (US$24.7 million) for the first half, Scales managing director Andy Borland highlighted highlighted an "excellent achievement" from the entire Scales team, and the Mr Apple team in particular.

"Mr Apple has packed a record 3.55 million TCEs ((Tray Carton Equivalents – 18kg) which is 12% above 2015 export volumes and meets a 2020 volume target four years ahead of schedule," he said.

This forms the balance of an 11% jump for traditional varieties, driven in part by a large uptick in Fuji volumes, as well as a 14% rise in premium varieties, especially for NZ Queen which was up 60%.

The company reported a consolidated position in the Asian and Middle Eastern markets following an increase in sales in the 2015 financial year, and a continued focus on the regions where the company has been benefiting from more demand and faster shipping times.

Asia and the Middle East are expected to account for 53% of apple sales for Mr Apple this financial year, compared to 37% in 2014.

In contrast, Europe has gone down from 36% to 29% in the same period, while the U.K. and North American shares of the total have dropped off as well, although the latter only marginally.

"We are continuing to diversify risk – by growing smaller volumes of a broader range of varieties, and by expanding both our customers and markets," the company said in its report.

Strong results from Mr Apple and the company's storage & logistics and food ingredients divisions has led to an upgraded full year earnings guidance to an EBITDA of between NZ$55-62 million (US$40.2-45.3 million).

"The Storage & Logistics division has seen good results from its new initiatives, especially the Auckland coldstore which is trading profitably and in line with our expectations. Core coldstorage assets have experienced some industry headwinds resulting in a divisional EBITDA for 1H16 that was lower than 1H15," Borland said.

"By the end of the year it is expected that this division will produce a result that is consistent with the full 2015 result.

“The Food Ingredients division is handling significant year on year increases in sales volumes and validates our diversified procurement strategy for that division. During 1H16 Meateor sold 12,000 metric tonnes of product, up 24% on 1H15."

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