Kiwifruit Post Harvest Operators Support of Zespri
Good morning
Please see the letter
below that was sent to selected MPs and Ministers yesterday
on behalf of a group of post harvest kiwifruit operators,
who represent more than 75% of the total volume of kiwifruit
exports.
23 May 2013
Dear MP/Minister
Kiwifruit Post Harvest Operators Join Forces in Support of Zespri Structure
As a group
of post harvest operators in the New Zealand kiwifruit
industry, we represent approximately 76 percent of the total
volume of kiwifruit exports.
Whilst we are quite diverse
in our ownership structures, as a group we represent the
largest capital investment in the New Zealand kiwifruit
industry, with more than $450 million in investments in
orchards, packing facilities and related assets. At the
peak of the kiwifruit season, we employ more than 8,500
people in our post harvest facilities and return
approximately $100 million through wages and salaries to the
communities in which we operate.
We are each competitors for crop volume within New Zealand, however collectively we remain strong supporters of the New Zealand integrated kiwifruit industry structure, with Zespri as our marketer and owner of the world’s premium kiwifruit brand.
We know the success of our individual organisations rely upon the New Zealand kiwifruit industry being able to achieve the scale and long-term commitment to build a leading global brand like Zespri, which enables our industry to compete in a very competitive international fruit trading environment. Without this structure, the returns we receive from offshore markets would be severely compromised. Recent examples of our post harvest industry working collaboratively is the response to Psa, and the development and release of new varieties.
For this reason, we are deeply concerned that what appears to us is a public campaign, supported by an anonymous minority in the kiwifruit industry, that are using Zespri’s historical customs issue in China as an attempt destabilise our industry structure.
While the China customs matter is concerning to us, we believe Zespri must be left to work this issue through China’s court system. Once the legal system in China has delivered its final verdict, the New Zealand kiwifruit industry will then be in a better position to understand what led to this situation and what Zespri has learnt from this issue. Some of us are both Zespri grower-shareholders and/or representatives of Zespri grower-shareholders. We are the ones best positioned to hold Zespri to account to ensure it keeps delivering to the high standards we demand of it.
Until that point is reached, the current public speculation and campaigning against Zespri – and by extension, the industry structure – will do more to damage the Zespri brand, our interests and grower interests than the customs matter itself.
As we all know,
China is a hugely valuable market to the New Zealand
kiwifruit industry, and therefore our companies’ and
communities’ livelihoods. Our market penetration into
China continues to grow, which gives us confidence that the
customs issue is not impacting on the Zespri brand or
Zespri’s future in China. We will continue to hold
Zespri to account to ensure this remains the case, not only
in China but in the other 55 markets it sells into around
the world.
We represent the vast majority of the
kiwifruit industry, and we want to ensure you are aware of
our view on this matter. If you are pressured on this
matter, please be assured that Zespri and the kiwifruit
industry structure retains our confidence and
support.
Kind regards
Tony Hawken
Chief
Executive
EastPack Limited
Bill
Thorpe
Chairman
Gisborne Kiwifruit Trust
Allan
Dawson
Managing Director
Aongetete Coolstores
Paul
Jones
Director
DMS Progrowers
James
Trevelyan
Managing
Director
Trevelyan’s
Stuart
Weston
Chief Executive
Apata Ltd
Tom
Wilson
Director
Aerocool Ltd
Rod
Fry
Chairman
Mainland Kiwi
Craig Thompson
Chief
Executive
OPAC
Hemi
Rolleston
Chief Executive
Te Awanui
Hukapak
Sean Carnachan
Director
Western
Orchards
Rob
Craig
Director
G6
Kiwi Ltd
Jan Benes
Managing Director
Auckland
Pack & Cool, and Mount Pack & Cool
Alan
Thompson
Director
LD Packers
Doug
Brown
Director
Riverlock Orchard Pack and
Coolstore
ENDS