Demand will rise for existing kiwifruit orchards as a result of Zespri granting its annual quota of new licences for the gold kiwifruit variety, claims a rural property salesman.

The response to the new red variety of kiwifruit has been exceptional, says Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson.

Along with health, brand is one of the top five drivers of consumer preference, says Janice Byrnes, Zespri marketing manager for Australia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Mark and Catriona White dreams were realised after they decided 12 years ago to grow organic kiwifruit.

Zespri says it’s excited about another strong season shaping up for the kiwifruit industry.

NZ kiwifruit will penetrate deeper into world markets as it heads for another bumper crop this year, says Zespri chief grower and alliances officer David Courtney.

The first shipment of this season’s kiwifruit is on its way to Asia. 

The kiwifruit variety SunGold is this season set to overtake the traditional green Haywards variety for the first time.

Zespri says it is disappointed at the “inaccurate” claims being made by the anonymous Concerned Growers Collective.

An anonymous group called Concerned Growers Collective is opposing two Zespri resolutions now before growers which the group claims would cause “irreparable damage” to the industry.