Re: Turners and Growers comments

29 JUNE 2009

MEDIA RELEASE
No Support for Turners and Growers from Kiwifruit Growers

Peter Ombler, President of NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, rejected comments made earlier today for the kiwifruit industry structure to be changed.

“New Zealand kiwifruit growers will ultimately decide the future of this industry and there is generally no grower support for deregulation,” said Peter Ombler. “NZ growers are the owners of the kiwifruit industry with over $3.8 billion invested and the majority of growers are shareholders of ZESPRI.”

“Many growers remember their poor returns a couple decades ago when there were multi exporters before growers made the decision to move to the current industry structure with ZESPRI as their marketer. In a recent survey 84% of growers wanted the current structure retained for their continued success.”

“Ironically many kiwifruit growers who are also apple growers are most vocal in their support for the current industry structure, following on from their experiences of the deregulation of the apple industry.”

Turners and Growers is one of the industry’s 2,710 growers and runs one of the industry’s 71 packhouses. Mr Ombler confirmed that the information prepared by Turners and Growers will be reviewed.

ENDS

About New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI)

NZKGI was established in 1993 to represent New Zealand’s 3,500 kiwifruit growers and give growers their own voice in industry and government decision making and was formed following the downturn in the kiwifruit industry in the early 1990’s.

NZKGI’s VISION is to be a strong grower organisation that demonstrates industry leadership in which growers and other industry participants actively participate.

NZKGI’s MISSION is to represent, protect and enhance the commercial and political interests of New Zealand Kiwifruit growers.

NZKGI’s Grower Forum consists of 25 regional and district representatives and 12 industry group representatives. Forum members are elected every three years by all kiwifruit growers via a postal ballot.

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