increase font size
Chinese authorities have recently clamped down on companies in that country which have been packaging and selling their own local fruit under the Zespri brand.
Authorities in China have clamped down on companies in that country which have been packaging and selling their own local fruit under the Zespri brand.
In recent weeks, Zespri has been working with the Shanghai police to take enforcement action against a small number of people involved in extensive counterfeit operations. Information gathered through Zespri's investigations have allowed local police to successfully conduct a number of raids against those sellers.
During these raids, it was also discovered that the counterfeiting operation also affected fellow fruit marketer Dole and Zespri customer GoodFarmer, which have since joined the enforcement action.
The Public Prosecutor's Office has confirmed it will be prosecuting these crimes, with the enforcement action already having a significant deterrent effect on counterfeit sales on the e-commerce platform.
Zespri says this action reflects its strategy of taking targeted action to keep unauthorised fruit or counterfeit branding out of its key channels, to help defend its premium brand and demonstrate its commitment to food safety. It also reflects the commitent from local authorities to enforce IP rights.
A company spokesperson says the work in this space is increasingly important with similar cases of counterfeit expected to rise as the availability of locally grown unauthorised G3 increases in future years.
"Zespri is pleased to see the action to protect the interests of New Zealand growers and Zespri customers.
"We acknowledge the strong support of local authorities and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future," the spokesperson told Hort News.
Meanwhile, Zespri has also filed further legal action to recover damages from those involved in the propagation of Gold3 plantings as part of its commitment to protectng the industry's investment and intellectual property rights.
It has filed a petition in a Chinese court to recognise and enforce the judgement of our Court of Appeal against those found to have taken the original budwood out of NZ to China.
This is in order to recover remaining damages from the $12 million awarded to Zespri after Haoyu Gao. His associates were found guilty of fraudulently offering to license Zespri varieties to parties in China and facilitated the planting of these varieties on Chinese orchards.
New Zealand must continue to educate Chinese consumers about the unique qualities of its red meat products and how they differ from competitors, says Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton.
Alliance Group and Grand Farm have signed a strategic co-operation agreement with a focus on delivering more premium New Zealand grass-fed beef to Chinese consumers.
Chinese textile company Saibosi has partnered with Wools of New Zealand to put the 'farm to floor' story of New Zealand wool rugs on screen for its customers.
Zespri says global sales for the 2024-25 season topped $5 billion on the back of strong demand and market returns.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of 125% on the US, up from the 84% announced earlier.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…
