ZESPRI Supports New NZ Productivity Commission

MEDIA RELEASE
18 March 2010

ZESPRI Supports Creation of NZ Productivity Commission

ZESPRI International Limited says it is pleased about the creation of a new Productivity Commission, announced by the Minister of Finance and the Minister for Regulatory Reform today.

Chief Executive, Lain Jager, said productivity was a critical factor in improving the rate of economic growth in New Zealand and was the key factor driving the global success of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry.

“Productivity is the foundation to remaining competitive globally,” said Mr Jager. “While cost reduction is important, the reality is that our global competitiveness will be driven by our rate of innovation and productivity improvement. New Zealand is never going to be the lowest cost producer of primary products, ultimately our global competitiveness will be driven by our ability to innovate and lift productivity faster than our competitors. That’s why we see today’s announcement as an effective and important step towards improved wealth for New Zealand producers and the economy overall.”

“Productivity improvements have been fundamental to the continued viability of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry in the face of strong competition from Chile as a lower cost producer of kiwifruit. We have doubled export value and volumes over the last 10 years and we are expecting the same rate of growth for the next 10 years through investing in marketing and distribution – particularly in high growth markets, broadening our product portfolio through the introduction of great new products to earn new shelf space and delight consumers, and constant productivity improvement.”

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About ZESPRI International limited
Kiwifruit is New Zealand’s largest horticulture export and ZESPRI is the leading global marketer, with sales of over $1.45 billion in the 2008/09 season. The ZESPRI® Brand was launched in 1997 and is now recognised as the world leader in premium quality kiwifruit. ZESPRI manages 30 percent of internationally traded kiwifruit, supplies over 60 countries and represents over 4,000 growers of ZESPRI® GREEN, ZESPRI® GOLD and ZESPRI® GREEN and GOLD ORGANIC Kiwifruit.

The New Zealand kiwifruit industry is highly focused, with single desk export marketer ZESPRI being 100 percent owned by 2260 current or previous growers. ZESPRI’s 2,700 New Zealand growers own 3110 orchards which last year produced over 390,000 tonnes of premium quality kiwifruit.

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