Horticulture New Zealand has approved of the New Zealand Minister of Agriculture’s decision to put to rest any suggestion the Zespri single desk marketing model used by the kiwifruit industry is under threat.
“The Minister’s sensible and firm comments put to rest a good deal of speculation, which serves no useful purpose in these economically fragile times,” HortNZ president Andrew Fenton said.
Any speculation about a change in the structure of the industry or the marketing of our most successful horticultural export can raise negative concerns in our export markets.
The rate of growth of NZ kiwifruit exports compared to other produce exports shows the current system is working well for growers and for the country.
Since 2000 export earnings to New Zealand from kiwifruit exports have almost doubled to over $800 million.
“HortNZ totally supports the Zespri single desk structure,” Fenton said.
“We know the vast majority of New Zealand kiwifruit growers support the system and we meet many growers from other countries who are in awe and very envious of what New Zealand has achieved through Zespri.”