NZ Kiwifruit Growers Set for Higher Returns Despite Risks
Despite the ongoing bad news on the geopolitical front, New Zealand kiwifruit growers may be in for a good payout.
Zespri has no financial exposure to Dalian Yidu, the north-east Chinese importer who reportedly has had nine staff arrested by Chinese customs.
“Dalian Yidu imports many New Zealand and global agricultural products. It is one of Zespri’s importers into China, dealing with less than 5% of Zespri’s China volume,” a Zespri spokesman told Rural News.
“Zespri’s NZ supply season to our markets, including China, finished quite a while ago and Zespri has no financial exposure to Yidu. There is nothing to indicate this investigation involves Zespri kiwifruit.”
Dalian Yidu is one of four of Zespri’s importers in China, a spokesman confirmed.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is aware of the issue and is monitoring the situation as a part of our normal market access work.
“Regarding any other companies using this importer, the commercial arrangements between New Zealand exporters and overseas importers are confidential to the parties involved,” a spokesman says.
“MPI has been told, however, that the importer concerned does import other New Zealand commodities from other primary production sectors. The ministry does not hold information on the specific exporting companies.”
Nine staff at Dalian Yidu are understood to have been arrested in relation to importing prohibited fruit and alleged under-declaration of customs duties.
A casualty of the storm that hit the Bay of Plenty recently was the cancelation of a field day at a leading Māori kiwifruit orchard at Te Puke.
Michael Wentworth has joined the team at Mission Estate Winery, filling the "big shoes" of former Chief Executive Peter Holley, who resigned in September last year, after almost 30 years running the storied Napier venue.
Some arable farmers are getting out of arable and converting to dairy in the faced of soaring fuel and fertiliser prices on top of a very poor growing season.
The New Zealand seed industry has reached a significant milestone with the completion and approval of the new seed certification system.
New Zealand's persimmon season will kick off early this year, with fruit set to hit shelves soon.
Ireland and NZ have concluded a deal to extend a joint research programme on climate change.

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