Kiwifruit Growers Welcome Trade Minister’s Comments

Kiwifruit growers have welcomed Trade Minister Tim Groser’s reconfirmation that there will be no change to the industry’s export marketing arrangements.

Peter Ombler, President of the growers’ representative organisation, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI), said more than 90% of kiwifruit growers supported the current export arrangements which had driven annual growth in the industry of 9.88% over the last decade, more than any other primary industry.

“As the Trade Minister has recognised, New Zealand grows only about a third of the world’s volume of kiwifruit, yet we account for more than two thirds of global value – and that success is a direct result of the current export arrangements.

“It is very good news that Mr Groser has reconfirmed the Prime Minister and Agriculture Ministers’ unequivocal assurances that as long as growers support the export arrangements, then the Government will too.

“Turners & Growers (T&G) have made it abundantly clear, that by continuing to attack the NZ kiwifruit industry off-shore, they’re not interested in creating wealth opportunities for NZ growers or NZ Inc.”

ENDS

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