Fresh produce giant Turners & Growers has cast a shadow on kiwifruit marketer Zespri's announcement it has new varieties in the wings.Early this morning Zespri announced the commercialisation of three new types of kiwifruit alongside beginning orchard
Fresh produce giant Turners & Growers has cast a shadow on kiwifruit marketer Zespri’s announcement it has new varieties in the wings.
Early this morning Zespri announced the commercialisation of three new types of kiwifruit alongside beginning orchard trials for two more.
Today, Turners & Growers chairman Jeff Wesley said that Zespri was struggling to come up with a game-changing variety of fruit that stands out from other development being done around the world.
“Zespri’s announcement is just the first step and its varieties will have to compete with many others for the attention of global consumers who are demanding breakthrough products, not just technical tweaks to what they already buy,” he said.
Turners & Growers is locked in a bitter battle with Zespri and the regulations that ensure that it retains a near monopoly on kiwifruit exports.
The company has developed its own varieties of kiwifruit, but is unable to export them from New Zealand without going through a process to work with Zespri – even if permission was granted.
A High Court challenge against the regulations and Zespri’s interpretation of them was lodged last year, but will not be heard until year.
Mr Wesley said the company welcomed competition and innovation from Zespri.
“But, if New Zealand was to achieve its goal of doubling the value of exports, the outdated kiwifruit regulations need to be reviewed to allow other owners of premium kiwifruit varieties… to get on with exporting the fruit from New Zealand.
Zespri said its new varieties followed a 10-year development programme. They include an early-season gold variety, a potentially long-storing gold and a sweet green.
Two hundred hectares of each new variety would be licensed this winter.
